Brits in certain parts of the UK are set to be wowed tonight as a “cannibal” solar storm will bring the Northern Lights to this corner of Europe.
A “cannibal” solar storm happens when a plasma wave is caused by an eruption on the surface of the sun.
Although it can end up causing issues like power outages when it collides with the Earth’s magnetic field, it has also increased the chances of the aurora borealis making an appearance as the increased solar activity will make the vibrant phenomenon more visible further south than usual.
But where, when, and how can Brits enjoy tonight’s Northern Lights? Here is everything we know.
Where will the Northern Lights be visible from in the UK?
Forecasts are estimating that the aurora borealis is most likely to show up in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the northern cities of England, according to the Met Office.
Given the severe to extreme geomagnetic storms that are needed for a natural aurora to appear in the UK, this is a very rare occurrence.
When will the Northern Lights be visible?
The Northern Lights are expected to be visible from 9pm tonight and last until midnight.
How to enjoy the Northern Lights
For an enjoyable viewing of the aurora borealis, the ideal conditions include having a cloudless, clear night sky.
The best way to get the most out of the spectacular sky will be to find a dark location that isn’t heavily impacted by light pollution, and face the northern horizon.
What causes the Northern Lights?
The Northern lights are caused by activity on the surface of the Sun. Solar storms cause the star to expel large clouds of electrically charged particles, some of which eventually collide with the Earth.
While our planer deflects most of these particles, some are captured in our magnetic field and move towards the north and south poles before they enter our atmosphere.
The aurora borealis we see as a result is actually the atoms and molecules in our atmosphere colliding with the Sun’s particles, creating patterns that reflect the Earth’s magnetic field force.
