The Northern Lights could be visible in Scotland's skies this weekend as a minor geomagnetic storm is predicted.
It is forecast by the Met Office Space Weather group that the celestial display might be visible as far south as the north of England.
This will occur on Saturday, January 15, with there being a very slight chance it will extend through to Sunday as well.
Also known as the aurora borealis, the Northern Lights are caused by a process of solar wind reaching Earth's magnetic field.
This can cause magnetic reconnection, which allows charged particles from space to accelerate into the atmosphere.
Here's when you may be able to see the Northern Lights in Scotland.
When will you be able to see the Northern Lights in Scotland?
According to AuroraWatch UK from Lancaster University, the best chance to see the Northern Lights in Scotland will be between 10pm and midnight on Saturday, January 15.
Solar activity is expected to pick up Saturday at 9pm that leads to the display slightly later on.
The official Met Office forecast says: "Solar winds are expected to remain Low until the arrival of the fast winds from a coronal hole. This is most likely to occur on day 3 (15th).
"Quiet geomagnetic activity expected until this arrival, becoming Active to Minor Storm as it occurs, with a slight chance of Moderate Storms.
"Activity then becoming Quiet to Unsettled, with Active intervals and slight chance of Minor Storms during day 4 (16th)."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel