Will Northern Lights be visible again tonight? Exactly when phenomenon can be seen
The stunning phenomenon could light up UK skies again this evening and experts reveal what time is best to catch them.
The Northern Lights could be set for a second night in UK skies tonight - but at what time can you expect to see them?
The Met Office has said that the Northern Lights could be visible from some parts of the UK tonight, Friday, September 13, after Brits has the chance to see them in some areas last night.
According to the forecaster's Space Weather forecast, the best places to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight and tomorrow morning are Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.
The Met Office said that “another arrival overnight Friday into Saturday brings a chance of further visible aurora to northern areas of the UK, primarily Scotland."
Weather expert Jim Dale, who is a senior meteorologist and founder of British Weather Services, said that sightings will be best “always at least two to three hours after sunset.”
You might want to look up at the sky tonight because there's the chance of seeing the aurora ??????
— Met Office (@metoffice) September 12, 2024
Clear skies for most overnight will make for ideal viewing conditions, with sightings possible across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England ✨ pic.twitter.com/ewAGUPrqyd
The Northern Lights - also known as aurora borealis - are created when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
The various gases in the atmosphere then become energised by the charged particles, causing a colourful display of light to beam across the sky.
The two most common gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen emits purple, blue and pink lights, while oxygen emits green.
The Met Office has given some top tips for anyone trying to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis tonight. A meteorologist said: "If you've got a clear view of the horizon you've got a chance."
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They advise stargazers to find an area with low light pollution and also suggest that using a camera or telescope could boost your chances.
Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, recently revealed his best advice for making sure you have the best chance of seeing the aurora borealis to Express.co.uk.
As well as heading out to rural areas his top hacks are to head to places with little cloud cover and almost no artificial lighting. He said: “You have got to not have cloud cover in order to see it.”
Mr Dale suggested finding somewhere with low light pollution and added: “It won’t kick in until it goes proper dark - and artificial lighting is no good whatsoever.”
