The UK has been treated to many spectacular aurora displays in recent months

Parts of the UK may be able to see the Northern Lights tonight. Also known as aurora borealis, the lights are a natural light display in the night sky caused by charged particles from the sun.

The potential sighting of the cosmic spectacle comes in a month that will be packed with plenty of space activity. A rare blood moon will appear over the UK during a partial lunar eclipse on March 14. On the same date, the month’s full ‘Worm Moon’ will also appear in the night sky.

Tonight, stargazers may be in for a treat as there is a ‘continuing chance’ of enhanced geomagnetic activity for the next 12 to 18 hours, according to the Met Office. The weather agency states during Wednesday, March 5, there is “potential for aurora sightings across northern Scotland and similar geomagnetic latitudes.”

The possible light display across parts of the Northern Hemisphere is due to a glancing Coronal Mass Ejecting (CME) that departed from the sun on Saturday, March 1. In the Met Office’s four-day space weather forecast, they have said “low to moderate” levels of solar activity are expected. A chance of moderate class flares may also be visible.

The CME that departed the sun on March 1, from the southeast quadrant is probably now affecting Earth as a glancing blow and impacts will likely continue until March 5. This is the only CME in the forecast. The Met Office states: “Geomagnetic activity mostly at quiet to unsettled levels through the period but on day one (March 5) and probably again on day four March 8) active to minor geomagnetic storm levels may reach moderate geomagnetic storm levels.”

Aurora displays only occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles. As they collide, light is emitted at various wavelengths, creating colourful displays in the sky. Remote, open areas with views of the northern horizon are best for sightings, with the lights unlikely to be visible until it gets very dark.