The Northern Lights may be visible across much of the UK tonight, the Met Office has announced. A fast-moving coronal mass ejection left the Sun late on Saturday night and is forecast to arrive at Earth either late on Monday or early Tuesday.
The solar event is expected to enhance geomagnetic activity, creating conditions that could allow the aurora borealis to be visible further south than usual. Clear, dark skies will be essential for viewing the natural light display.
Peak viewing conditions
At the height of geomagnetic activity, there is a chance aurora may be visible across much of the UK. These displays may be visible to the naked eye without photographic equipment, which is relatively rare for locations this far south in the UK.
The best chance of seeing the aurora remains in the north of the UK. If visibility proves difficult under clear skies, photography can help enhance the view.
Weather challenges ahead
Several factors may affect visibility throughout the viewing period. The weather forecast from Monday to Wednesday indicates significant cloud cover throughout the evening across most areas.
The Midlands are most likely to have the least cloud and potentially the best viewing conditions on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday will see night-time viewing conditions worsen, with northern Scotland and northern England likely to have the clearest skies, although still not ideal.
A waxing gibbous moon will also be present, which could disrupt clear views of the aurora, particularly in areas with additional light pollution. For those in more marginal locations further south or in urban areas, light pollution will play a significant role in determining whether the aurora can be seen.
Expert guidance
Krista Hammond, Met Office space weather manager, said: "As we monitor the arrival of this coronal mass ejection, there is a real possibility of aurora sightings further south than usual on Monday night. While the best views are likely further north, anyone with clear, dark skies should keep an eye out. Forecasts can change rapidly, so we encourage the public to stay updated with the latest information."
The science behind the display
A coronal mass ejection is a release of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona, the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere. These ejections can travel at speeds of up to several million kilometres per hour and, when directed towards Earth, can interact with our planet's magnetic field.
This interaction can trigger geomagnetic storms, which in turn can produce displays of the aurora.
Sources used: "Met Office" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
