People in parts of Scotland will likely be able to see the Northern Lights this weekend, earlier in the year than usual.
Normally it isn't until autumn or winter that the aurora borealis can be spotted in our country, but several places across the country experienced the colourful phenomenon on Thursday night, including as Caithness, Moray Firth and Dundee.
Scots have now been told to keep an eye on the skies on Friday, due to the fact that a number of explosions on the sun are due to hit the earth later today. This will result in what is dubbed the Northern Lights.
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Experts at the Met Office have issued a warning that the solar storm may impact satellites and navigation systems. The storm resulted from particles exploding from the sun's surface, which are now hurtling towards our planet.
As reported by the Daily Record, the storm has been referred to as "cannibal", due to the fact that the particles "eat" each other whilst travelling through the air — this results in the stunning lights and colours associated with the aurora borealis.
Here is everything you need to know about how to catch the Northern Lights in Scotland this weekend.
When you can see the Northern Lights in Scotland
Normally, it isn't possible to see the Northern Lights in Scotland until late autumn and winter. This is due to the fact that nights during this time are usually long, cold, and clear.
As stated by AuroraWatch, your best chance to catch the aurora borealis is between 10pm and midnight on a clear night and in an area with low light pollution. In general, the further north you go, the more likely you are to see the lights.
With the storm heading towards Earth being particularly "strong", it is possible that it may be visible as far south as the north of England however.
What causes the Northern Lights?
Solar storms can produce massive quantities of electrically charged particles that are released into the atmosphere. These can travel for millions of miles, and can reach our planet's magnetic field.
Following this, they gravitate towards Earth's north and south poles. As this happens, heat is generated.
The fantastical lights and colours seen are the atoms and molecules in our atmosphere reacting with the charged particles.
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