Scottish stargazers are in for a seasonal treat as the Northern Lights will be visible above Scotland this weekend. The spectacular nighttime event has lit up skies across the country in recent days due to ongoing solar activity.
The good news for anyone who missed last night’s spectacle is that there are still chances to see the stunning Northern Lights in Scottish skies. The Met Office has forecasted ongoing space weather throughout the day (October 11), potentially continuing through the weekend.
Its forecast shows severe to extreme geomagnetic storms easing throughout the day and minor to moderate activity by the end of the night. An ongoing radiation storm will occur simultaneously, creating favourable conditions for visible Northern Lights.
The lights are caused when solar particles interact with Earth’s atmosphere. Solar wind speeds remain strong, with a gradual easing trend later in the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) day. The Met Office explained that a fast coronal mass ejection related to a large flare and filament combination that left the Sun on October 9 arrived at Earth through the second half of October 10 and is having ongoing effects, including Severe Geomagnetic storms.
Aurora has been sighted as far south as southern England and on the continent. The chances of aurora remain initially, though gradually easing through October 11, becoming increasingly confined to far northern geomagnetic latitudes by October 13.
For those eager to witness this natural phenomenon, the best chances are in areas without light pollution. Viewing outside crowded cities in rural areas will allow for optimal viewing. Sometimes, the lights can be challenging to see with the naked eye, so setting your smartphone’s camera to a 10-second exposure can capture spectacular photos if the lights are present.
The farther north you are, the better chance you have of glimpsing the Northern Lights. Travelling to more northern locations with clear, cloudless skies will provide the best possible view of the show. The different colours seen in the Northern Lights are caused by gases reacting in the atmosphere. Oxygen is responsible for the green hues, while nitrogen contributes to purples, blues, and pinks. Occasionally, the lights can turn red, caused by high-altitude oxygen interacting with solar particles.
As the weekend progresses, Scottish skies may continue to showcase this remarkable display, offering a unique and mesmerizing experience for onlookers. So, keep an eye out for updates on the potential visibility of the Northern Lights and seize the opportunity to witness this celestial spectacle.