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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Daniel Morrow

Northern Lights in Scotland expected to be visible for large parts of country this week

The Northern Lights are expected to be visible across large parts of Scotland this week - with some being treated to the nighttime spectacle during the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Experts at the British Geological Survey have anticipated the aurora to hit the Earth between March 31 and April 1.

This is due to two Earth directed Coronal Mass Ejections, or CMEs, lifting from the Sun earlier this week.

The first of the CMEs left the sun at around 11.30am on March 28. A second CME was recorded eight hours later.

Auroras could be visible during the early hours of tomorrow morning - and it could travel down as far as southern Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.

The British Geological Survey tweeted: “Assuming clear dark skies, there is an increased chance of seeing the aurora on March 31 and April 1.

“In the UK, those in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland may have the best opportunities.

“This is due to the expected disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic environment as a result of two Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections or CMEs.

“Both CMEs are associated with M-class flares, with the first lifting from the Sun at around 11.30UTC on March 28.

“The second followed approximately eight hours later, at 19.20UTC.

“These CMEs are expected to arrive at Earth early on March 31, causing significant disturbances to the geomagnetic field.”

Scots in the north are often lucky enough to capture a glimpse of the ethereal bands of light which are caused by particles expelled by the sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic shield.

When these particles meet the shield they are "pulled" to the north and south poles.

As they interact, the energy is released as a beautiful corona of dancing rays of light that are visible from below.

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