Northern Lights could be back AGAIN tomorrow as Met Office issue ‘90% chance’ alert after disappointing weekend
THE Northern Lights could be visible again in the UK tomorrow as the Met Office issued a 90% chance alert.
The bands of pink and green light, also known as aurora borealis, were seen across the UK and in parts of Europe last week.
An extreme geomagnetic storm caused them to be more visible, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
But Brits were disappointed this weekend after the phenomenon failed to dazzle the country’s skies despite forecasts.
Now the Met Office have said more significant space weather activity is expected to occur on Monday night.
A “red alert” has been issued – meaning aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK.
Images show an enhancement to the aurora across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland at 9pm.
AURORA FORECAST
NO significant space weather activity is expected on Sunday night into Monday (19-20 May), with aurora sightings unlikely.
An enhancement to the aurora may occur on Monday night (20-21 May) following the possible arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun late Friday 17 May.
Following any CME arrival aurora may become visible, where skies are clear, across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a slight chance that views of the aurora may also be possible from northern England and North Wales.
Following this auroral activity is expected to decline, although confidence is lower than usual however and some slight enhancement to the aurora at times can’t be ruled out.
Source: Met Office
There is a slight chance that views of the aurora may also be possible from northern England and North Wales.
Met Office space weather expert Krista Hammond said: “The sunspot region will be be coming back round onto the Earth facing side of the sun.”
Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.
The sun is currently in the most active period of its 11-year cycle.
Ms Hammond continued: “We’re currently at solar maximum and we’re seeing more sunspots.
“If we see more sunspots, we see this increased frequency in space weather and therefore the aurora.”
The forecaster downplayed the chances of a full repeat of last weekend’s display, but said more solar activity would mean a good chance of sightings “in the coming weeks, months and years”.
“It was such a unique set of circumstances that happened last weekend.
“The chances of the same sunspots doing the same thing again – It’s probably quite slim.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes around and there’s some activity on it, but it won’t be I doubt, a repeat performance.”
Where displays can be seen in the UK is dictated by the “strength of geomagnetic storming”, she said.
WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
AURORA displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles.
In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.
When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area – which explains why displays can be occasionally seen as far south as the UK.
The visibility of the Northern Lights was increased on Friday because of an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The phenomena appears as beautiful dancing green and purple ribbons of light that have captivated people for millennia.