An alert has been issued for the Northern Lights display expected on Thursday, October 10, as shared by Wales Online. The Met Office has highlighted that the aurora borealis could potentially be visible across the UK due to atmospheric conditions. This rare event is being attributed to a ‘coronal mass ejection from the sun’ heading towards Earth.
The Space Weather Prediction Centre has explained that a coronal mass ejection involves large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona. While the Northern Lights are typically more visible in the northern regions of the UK, there is a chance they could also be sighted in the south. The Met Office further predicts that this captivating natural phenomenon could be observed over the next few nights.
According to experts, the peak time for viewing the lights in Scotland is estimated to be around 1am on Friday, and then again at approximately 11pm on Friday (October 11). People are encouraged to look north to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The aurora borealis presents as large areas of various colours including pale green, pink, red, yellow, blue, and violet towards the northern direction.
For the best viewing experience, it is recommended to seek darkness away from light pollution. The lights typically manifest between 50 to 400 miles above the Earth’s surface resulting from collisions of charged particles in the solar wind with molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. This spectacular natural display is a consequence of solar activity, offering a mesmerising spectacle for those lucky enough to witness it.
As the Met Office issues this alert, anticipation builds for the possibility of experiencing this extraordinary event in the night sky. Keep an eye out for the Northern Lights and immerse yourself in the beauty of this celestial phenomenon.