2 weeks Ago By Millie Turner
THE Northern Lights may be visible from parts of the UK tonight after the sun kicked out a large explosion of plasma on Saturday. According to the Met Office, auroral activity is expected to peak in the UK on 16 September thanks to this recent expulsion, called a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). "Auroral activity may increase on early Monday depending on the arrival time of a coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on Saturday," the Met Office wrote.
"It is most likely to arrive and enhance the aurora after daylight hours on Monday. "But there is a still a chance of an earlier arrival during the night that could give visible aurora with the naked eye across Scotland, Northern Ireland as well as parts of England and Wales, mainly in the north." Here's the official explanation from Nasa.
.. The strongest waves of plasma from the recent CME will hit Earth while the UK is in daylight hours, which may limit the a number of visibly bright auroras.
However, "lingering effects" may see the aurora persist into Monday night and early Tuesday morning, the Met Office said. The forecaster added: "That aurora is likely to be visible where skies are clear from Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as parts of England and Wales, mainly in the north." Northern Lights were also forecast to grace UK skies last week following a minor radiation storm from a growing sunspot.
Stargazers across the UK and Northern Ireland have caught the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, several times this year. The Sun is currently in a period of heightened solar activity, which is expected to cause a 23-year-high in Northern Lights sightings but also radio blackouts. The phenomenon is known as the Solar Maximum, which typically comes around every 11 years or so.
This is when the Sun's activity reaches its peak, and produces more auroral displays. There are currently up to nine sunspot regions on the side of the Sun that faces Earth. These regions are usually where CMEs are born, as they are localised fields of strong magnetic flux.
This week's Northern Lights display is forecast to only be visible from northern parts of the UK and Northern Ireland. Shetland Islands - Here, auroral displays are most visible between mid-October and March. But it's best to avoid the towns and their light pollution.
Eryri, Conwy - Llyn Geirionydd lake, close to the town of Betws-y-Coed, is a local-favourite viewing spot, with snow-capped peaks in the backdrop. Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk - This area was graced with bright aurora lights last year, namely in seaside towns Brancaster Staithe and Happisburgh. Keswick, Cumbria - The Lake District is an over-the-radar spot for aurora hunters, but Derwentwater lake next to Keswick is a great place to photograph the lights.
What is it, why does it exist, and why is it so ruddy hot all the time?.
