The Northern Lights are going to be visible again in the UK - here's where
The Met Office has said the Northern Lights may be visible across the UK this weekend. The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, is caused by charged particles from the sun and some areas may be able to see the light display over the next few days.
Forecasters at the Met Office have updated the forecasts for the Northern Hemisphere suggesting there is a chance to see the Northern Lights. The Met Office said the display may be seen on on Saturday (March 8) and Sunday (March 9) where skies are clear, and some may even have a chance to see the lights until March 11.
The aurora is likely only going to be visible in some parts of the UK, mainly areas of northern Scotland. The best chance to see the aurora will be on Sunday (March 9) but the solar flares are not expected to be strong.
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The best places to see the Northern Lights are rural open areas, usually on high ground. Open areas not polluted by light with a clear view of the northern horizon are best for aurora sightings when it gets very dark.
The full forecast from the Met Office said: "There is a chance of aurora sightings later on 8 March into 9 March across northern Scotland and similar geomagnetic latitudes where skies are clear.
"High latitudes are likely to see the aurora overnight 9 March into 10 March and to a lesser extent on 10 March into 11 March. This is due to the onset of fast winds. Otherwise, background levels expected."
The stunning display has lit up the sky across the country and South West a number of times in recent months, with residents in Bristol capturing the light display last November. Just a few months ago the Northern Lights were visible in South Gloucestershire and North Somerset in an incredible display. Pictures taken by residents showed the impressive colours of red, pink and purple across the sky.
The Northern Lights appears as a large area of bright colour in the sky. Pinks, greens, reds, yellows and even blue and violet may by be seen, more powerful auroras will be brighter and have more colours and display in a distinct arc.
Aurora displays are visible when charged particles collide with gasses in the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles. As the particles collide, light is emitted and different wavelengths creating the colourful displays in the sky.
They can be seen when charged particles hit gases in the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles. Most of the activity in the northern hemisphere happens in a band known as the aurora oval which covers latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.
The Echo reports the potential sighting of the Northern Lights this weekend comes in a month that will be packed with plenty of space activity. A rare blood moon will appear over the UK during a partial lunar eclipse on March 14. On the same date, the month's full 'Worm Moon' will also appear in the night sky.
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