If you’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights, tonight could be the night.
The Met Office has said that the aurora will be visible from parts of the UK tonight , including the North East.
It tweeted: “CME (coronal mass ejection) forecast to arrive late 23rd March following C5 flare from sunspot AR2736.
“Active-minor geomagnetic storm periods possible with low risk of moderate storms.
“As a result, aurora may be visible in Scotland where cloud breaks.”
A coronal mass ejection, otherwise known as a solar flare, is a release of plasma that strikes the Earth’s magnetic field.
In turn, this causes the Northern Lights to shimmer through the night sky.
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How to see the Northern Lights
While the Met Office is yet to reveal the best time and location to see the Northern Lights , you should be prepared from about 9pm to 6am.
Here are some top tips.
1. Stay away from light pollution
To see the aurora you need clear and dark skies, so get as far away from cities and towns as you can.
It's best to see the lights in a “dark sky location" during the peak hours of roughly 9pm and 1am.
2. Be prepared
If you’re really dedicating to seeing the Northern Lights , make sure you’re prepared.
Bring along a blanket to sit on and lots of layers!
3. Keep up to date with the latest light activity
To make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest light activity, follow AuroraWatch UK on Twitter, which provides updates on when and where the aurora will be visible.
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