Rhiannon Ingle
The lucky ones out there were able to catch a glimpse of the stunning Northern Lights last night (10 October).
If you missed them, however, you'll be chuffed to know you've got another chance at catching the cosmic phenomenon - AKA aurora borealis - with the Met Office revealing exactly what chances we have to see it again tonight (11 October).
So, to help with your star-gazing, an expert has revealed the best time to see Northern Lights again this evening.
Advert
In an official statement, the Met Office explained: "The chances of aurora remain initially, though gradually easing through October 11, becoming increasingly confined to far northern geomagnetic latitudes by October 13."
They added: "Visibility of the auroras is likely to be more confined to Scotland tonight, as the effects of the coronal mass ejection wanes.
"Cloud cover and rain will obscure visibility for some, particularly in western areas, but some visibility is possible elsewhere in Scotland.
"Chances of aurora sightings on Saturday will be increasingly confined to further north in Scotland."
Advert
But don't worry if you're not based up in chilly Scotland as a spokesperson from the Met Office has further shared that, even if the aurora borealis isn't visible in your area to the naked eye, you may be able to capture it with a decent camera on your phone.
And as for timings?
Well, Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, told the Daly Express exactly what you need to do to have the best chance of seeing the colourful spectacle.
Advert
"This has been a very active solar ejective time in terms of what the sun is doing," he explained. "Solar injections from the sun.
"Those solar particles reach our upper atmosphere - the thermosphere - at that point, it interacts and they essentially get deflected or even basically disappear because of reaction to atmosphere."
These 'luckily' don't reach our atmosphere as they are 'dangerous particles' that can cause a 'high level of radiation', he continued.
Dale also added that it is 'unusual' for the Northern Lights to 'come so far down south' adding: "You have to look north. Usually over the Arctic area. The reason we can see them is the clear air flow and there has to be the right ejection.
Advert
"It's hit and miss. If you’re in the wrong place you’ll miss it."
So, he recommends 'facing north' and doing your best to avoid artificial light by 'trying to get to a rural area'.
And the best time to see the Northern Lights?
Well, apparently the optimum viewing time is simply 'a few hours after sunset' but 'not immediately after'.
Advert
"[They likely] won't appear at 7pm in the evening, your best chances are looking when it's pitch black," the meteorologist added.
Noted.