They are renowned for providing a breathtaking spectacle across the Arctic Circle.
But after a huge solar flare triggered a coronal mass ejection (CME) hurtling towards Earth, the Northern Lights could be seen as far south as Scotland and northern England this weekend .
The CME is expected to produce geomagnetic storms when it hits our planet late Sunday or early Monday, allowing the spectacular natural phenomenon to be spotted in northern parts of the UK.
Not only that, but cloud cover is expected to be relatively minimal Sunday night and Monday, meaning skywatchers have every chance of being spotted.
Also known as the Northern Lights, the Northern Lights are mostly seen in high latitude regions, so any glimpse across the UK is a rare treat for stargazers.
The Northern Lights could be seen as far south as Scotland and northern England on Sunday, when a huge coronal mass ejection hits Earth (stock image)

The CME is expected to produce geomagnetic storms when it hits our planet late Sunday or early Monday, helping to spot the spectacular natural phenomenon in northern parts of the UK (pictured above).
The aurora appears when atoms in Earth’s high altitude atmosphere collide with energetic charged particles from the sun, creating breathtaking colors of green with a hint of pink, red and purple.
It is seen more often in winter when the nights are cold, long and dark.
The reason people across the UK will have a chance to see the Northern Lights is that a CME that left the sun yesterday is expected to hit Earth late Sunday or early Monday.
Its effects will likely continue through Monday evening, making auroras visible along the northern horizon if skies are clear, experts said.
Those from Scotland and the North of England will have a chance to witness this spectacular spectacle.
The Met Office said: “Satellite images show a CME leaving the sun yesterday which could produce minor/moderate geomagnetic storms on 13 or 14 March, with aurora sightings possible over Scotland and northern Scotland. ‘England.”
In an article in the Space Weather section of its website, the Met Office added: ‘Yesterday’s large CME has been analyzed and is expected to have an Earth-directed component, which is expected to arrive late on Day 3 (13th) or early on day 4 (14).’
A solar or geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance to the Earth’s magnetosphere – the area around Earth controlled by the planet’s magnetic field – caused by CMEs.
Although our sun gives us life, it also “sneezes” frequently, ejecting billions of tons of hot plasma into space in colossal masses of matter strung with magnetic fields – in other words, CMEs.
It emits gigantic flares, bursts of powerful electromagnetic radiation – X-rays, gamma rays and radio bursts – accompanied by streams of highly energetic particles.

In November last year, the Northern Lights were visible above Hadrian’s Wall following a coronal mass ejection from the sun. The fascinating display has spread as far south as Cambridgeshire

A spectacular display of the Northern Lights seen over Derwentwater, near Keswick in the Lake District, last November has photographers and skygazers in awe
These violent solar sneezes sometimes spin outward from the sun in our direction, delivering radiation, energy, and charged particles that distort and disrupt the Earth’s protective magnetic field (the magnetosphere) and upper atmosphere.
When a solar storm is heading our way, some of the energy and small particles can travel along magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into the Earth’s atmosphere.
There, the particles interact with gases in our atmosphere, resulting in beautiful displays of light in the sky – the Northern Lights. Oxygen emits green and red light, while nitrogen emits blue and violet light.
The aurora can be seen near the poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. To the north the display is known as the Aurora Borealis and to the south it is called the Aurora Australis.
The Northern Lights have fascinated people on Earth for centuries, but the science behind them hasn’t always been understood.
Our planet has an invisible force field, the magnetosphere, which protects us from dangerous charged particles from the sun.
The magnetosphere is the area around the Earth controlled by the planet’s magnetic field.
Science expert Marty Jopson said: “While it gives us shelter, it also creates one of the most awe-inspiring phenomena on Earth – the Northern Lights.
“When the deadly solar winds encounter the Earth’s magnetosphere, some of the charged particles are trapped and propelled along Earth’s magnetic field lines directly toward the poles.
“And when they reach Earth, they hit atoms and molecules in our atmosphere, releasing energy in the form of light.”
The problem is that disruption of our magnetic field creates solar storms that can affect orbiting satellites, navigation systems, terrestrial power grids, and data and communications networks.
“Adverse space weather has affected Earth before, but as we become increasingly dependent on systems and technologies vulnerable to solar outbursts, future solar impacts could be even more disruptive,” according to the European Space Agency. .