Parts of the UK could see Northern Lights again tonight according to Met Office
Lucky UK dwellers have another possible chance to catch the Northern Lights tonight, according to The Met Office.
You’d have been hard-pressed earlier this month to be scrolling through Instagram and not come across a wave of spectacular aurora pictures.
Everyone’s social media feeds were flooded with snaps of the night sky streaked with pink, purple and green ribbons - known more commonly as the aurora borealis.
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The bands of light were visible last week due to a combination of clear skies and an extreme geomagnetic storm, as per the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
However, as the phenomenon took place quite late at night, many space enthusiasts missed the boat the first time around - if that’s you, you may be in luck tonight.
According to the Met Office, the Northern Hemisphere may bear witness to an aurora on Monday Night (20-21 May) following the possible arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME).
A CME sees large bubbles of coronal plasma being ejected from the Sun at millions of miles per hour, as per NASA.
This event can cause billion tons of matter to explode across the sky and can trigger auroral displays.
Due to the electrical current flowing through the ionosphere, a CME can also cause intense magnetic fluctuations and communication problems on the Earth’s surface.
The Met Office claims a striking CME was recorded last Friday (May 17) - meaning an aurora could become visible this evening.
It’s said that those living in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland have the best chance of witnessing the Northern Lights again.
“There are a couple of mass ejections on their way to Earth,” said Met Office space weather expert Krista Hammond.
“They’re a lot less powerful than what we saw last weekend, but they could bring aurora displays across predominantly northern parts of the UK, such as Scotland, Northern Ireland, and north of England.”
Speaking over the weekend, she explained: “Just because we’re not seeing aurora across the whole of the UK, it doesn’t mean that we’re not going to see it in some areas.”
Krista added that due to the Sun being in the most active period of its 11-year cycle, we are likely to experience further geomagnetic storms.
“We’re currently at solar maximum and we’re seeing more sunspots,” she continued.
“If we see more sunspots, we see this increased frequency in space weather and therefore the aurora.”
Meteorologist Jim Dale, of British Weather Services, also added that there are probably more sightings of the Northern Lights to come.
He told Express.co.uk: "It certainly isn't over.
“The geomagnetic field ebbing and flowing but, clear skies allowing, there's every chance of repeat performances over the next 10 days.”
He added that there was some ‘luck’ required, as per usual.
So, while not everyone in the UK will get a chance to see the aurora this evening, there is a strong chance that some will be able to feat their eyes.
May the odds be forever in your favour!
Ella Scott