Will there be more Northern Lights tonight? Aurora borealis phenomena for UK explained

Lucky Brits were able to capture stunning images of the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, across the UK last night which filled the sky with pink and green hues

Brits were treated to spectacular Northern Lights across the country - but will the rare aurora borealis return tonight?

Lucky Brits were able to capture stunning images of the aurora borealis across the UK, which filled the sky with pink and green hues.

The Northern Lights, known as the aurora borealis, is a natural light display in the sky caused by the collision of solar wind and magnetically charged particles with the atmosphere. They are normally seen in Scandinavia, especially Norway, but have been seen all across the UK.

According to Sean Elvidge, a professor in space environment at the University of Birmingham, this is due to the biggest geomagnetic storm since 2003.

Excited onlookers reported seeing the display from various areas last night, including Liverpool, Kent, Norfolk and Sussex. There have also been sightings in parts of Scotland. Nicole Jay, who watched the spectacular display from her garden in Essex with husband Richie, said: "It was such an incredible experience. Especially from our own garden! A little bit of magic."

But will we see them tonight?

What causes the Northern Lights?

According to the Met Office, "Northern lights occur as a consequence of solar activity and result from collisions of charged particles in the solar wind colliding with molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere.

"Solar winds are charged particles that stream away from the Sun at speeds of around 1 million miles per hour. When the magnetic polarity of the solar wind is opposite to the Earth's magnetic field, the two magnetic fields combine allowing these energetic particles to flow into the Earth's magnetic north and south poles."

Which weather conditions are best to see the lights?

The best weather conditions to view the lights are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds, according to the Met Office.

"Cloud cover blocks the view of the light. Ideally, the lights will be best viewed away from any light pollution, in remote areas, facing the northern horizon - north facing coasts produce some of the best viewing locations", the weather experts said. The northern lights are most active during March and April and September and October.

Will Brits be able to see the Northern Lights tonight?

Brits wanting to see the northern lights tonight may have less of a chance compared to last night.

The Met Office’s latest weather forecast says: "The chances of aurora remain initially, though gradually easing through October 11, becoming increasingly confined to far northern geomagnetic latitudes by October 13."

The weather forecast added that we’ll see "rain across Scotland and Northern Ireland becoming more widespread through the night, although far north clearer with the odd wintry shower."

The Met Office Space Weather forecasting service said that last night was likely to be the most intensive display caused by a severe geomagnetic storm - but that it is having ‘ongoing effects’ into Friday. It said aurora would be seen on Friday and will gradually ease until Sunday - meaning there is a decent chance of another display later

Although there could be some residual viewings possible over the weekend, however, this is likely to be confined to Scotland. The Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said Thursday night was the "main focus in terms of any aurora visibility".