Northern Lights may be visible across UK tonight

Summarised from Manchester Evening News's report · Updated 11 Oct, 08:07 · Archive

The Met Office says the Northern Lights may be visible across parts of the north tonight with fantastic viewing opportunities.

The Met Office has revealed that the Northern Lights may be visible across parts of the north of the UK tonight. The weather body said there could be 'fantastic viewing opportunities' where skies are clear. Pictures of the lights have already been posted on social media from as far south as Leeds.

The Northern Lights are caused by large explosions of activity from the sun that throw out huge amounts of charged particles into space. When these particles are captured by the Earth's magnetic field, they collide with gas molecules in the atmosphere in an event called a geomagnetic storm. These collisions release energy as light, creating colourful displays in the sky.

The Met Office said 'building geomagnetic activity' could make the aurora more visible in southern latitudes, including the UK. Between 10 and 13 October there will be possible daily sightings across Scotland and similar geomagnetic longitudes where skies are clear, according to the forecast.

Read the report

• Northern Lights alert issued with UK set for 'fantastic viewing opportunities'The Northern Lights may be visible across parts of the north tonightManchester Evening News · 10 Oct, 22:30

In this story: Met Office · UK · Scotland · Leeds · Greater Manchester

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