Northern Lights explained as Met Office confirms aurora borealis tonight

Many people were able to take photos of the display this week

People across the UK were treated to sights of the spectacular Northern Lights this week. The aurora borealis were seen in many parts of Britain, with many people managing to capture stunning pictures of the lights.

Pink and green hues filled the sky as the natural light display appeared. The Northern Lights are a natural light display in the sky caused by the collision of solar wind and magnetically charged particles with the atmosphere.

They are usually spotted in Scandinavia, especially Norway, but have been seen all across the UK. Excited onlookers reported seeing the display from various areas last night, including the Midlands, Liverpool, Kent, Norfolk and Sussex.

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There were also sightings in parts of Scotland, Mirror reports. 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."

According to Sean Elvidge, a professor in space environment at the birmingham >University of Birmingham, we are able to see the Northern Lights in the UKs due to the biggest geomagnetic storm since 2003.

What causes the Northern Lights?

The Met Office said: "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. It said: "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 northern lights are most active during March and April and September and October."

Will Brits be able to see the Northern Lights tonight?

People hoping to see the Northern Lights tonight (Friday, October 11) may have less of a chance compared to last night. The Met Office’s latest weather forecast reads: "The chances of aurora remain initially, though gradually easing through October 11, becoming increasingly confined to far northern geomagnetic latitudes by October 13."

It said that there will be '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 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 the lights would be seen on Friday and will gradually ease until Sunday - which means there is a chance of another display later. Although there could be some residual viewings over the weekend, this is likely to be confined to Scotland.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said Thursday night was the 'main focus in terms of any aurora visibility'.