Scots who are willing to stay up late this evening could be treated to some astronomical delights as both Northern Lights and a rare eclipse of Mars may be visible. The phenomena will be visible if the sky is clear, although many parts of the country could be clouded over.
Those who live in the North of Scotland might be able to see the Northern Lights tonight and tomorrow. Meanwhile, one of the last of 2022's full moons could be visible in the early hours of tomorrow.
Those who are up early enough might also catch a glimpse of Mars, which will be visible in parts of the Americas, Europe and Northern Africa. The red planet will be eclipsed by the full moon in a rare event known as an occultation.
Here is everything you need to know about both astronomical events, including where to be and when to be there if you want to see the spectacles first-hand.
Met Office space forecast
An Aurora forecast for the Northern Hemisphere states that Northern Lights may be visible tonight and tomorrow in parts of Scotland. However, it adds that activity will decline later in the week.
The forecast states: "The arrival of fast solar winds late on the 7th December is likely to result in an increasing chance of the aurora becoming visible.
"On 7th and 8th, the aurora is likely to be visible across northern Scotland and similar geomagnetic latitudes under clear skies. Auroral activity likely declining later in the week, becoming confined to higher latitudes."
How to see the Northern Lights and Mars eclipse
Northern Lights: The Northern lights - or the aurora borealis - should be visible in parts of the highland sky, so long as clouds are not in the way. Recently, Scotland Now wrote about Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands being one of the perfect spots to see the Northern Lights. Websites such as AuroraWatch UK will identify ideal times to travel to see the light show.
However, with a snow and ice Yellow Weather warning in place for many parts of the Highland, including Cairngorms. It would not be advisable to spend long amounts of time outdoors tonight, especially with temperatures potentially plunging to -10C.
Mars eclipse: Again, the Mars Eclipse will only be visible to parts of the country which are not covered by clouds. Areas that do have clear skies will see the December full moon - which is sometimes called a 'cold moon' - peak at around 4.08am according to EarthSky, and it will eclipse Mars at around this time also.
The astronomy sight explains: "From some parts of Earth, the moon will occult Mars – pass in front of it – on the night of December 7-8."
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