Northern Lights alert issued as display could be visible in UK again TONIGHT

Scientists from the Space and Planetary Physics group at Lancaster University’s Department of Physics said: “Aurora is likely to be visible by eye from Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland; possibly visible from elsewhere in the UK. Photographs of aurora are likely from anywhere in the UK.”

Last week the Aurora Borealis was visible across the whole country as solar radiation crashed into the Earth’s atmosphere, creating shimmering sheets of green, pink and purple light in the night sky.

The Met Office space weather unit said: “Enhancement to the aurora is likely into early May 18,” adding: “The aurora may become visible as far south as parts of Scotland where skies are clear. Mainly background aurora conditions are expected thereafter.”

Tonight could be the last display of the current storm, but the BBC reports another solar blast is expected in two weeks when the sunspot that created the Northern Lights rotates back towards the Earth.