Edinburgh and the Lothians may be treated to a spectacular celestial display as the Met Office issues a rare alert for the Northern Lights.

The stunning phenomenon, also known as the Aurora Borealis, happens when solar particulars collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating vibrant streaks of green, purple and red across the night sky.

The display is triggered by a geomagnetic storm, caused when shockwaves of solar wind, including Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) slam into the planet.

READ MORE: Edinburgh son of boxing legend locked in family feud over ‘valuable gold ring’

READ MORE: Edinburgh man named in court on murder charge after woman’s death at property

A fast-moving CME that left the sun on August 30 was expected to reach Earth on September 1, giving skywatchers across Scotland the chance to witness the picturesque sky, reports the Record.

The north of Scotland is traditionally the best place to view the lights, and tonight is no exception.

While the lights were predicted to be visible on September 1, they may continue for several days, depending on conditions.

Forecasters predicted the Aurora Borealis first appeared over northern areas on Monday night around 8pm, with visibility increasing to around 80 per cent across most of Scotland by 10pm.

Between 11pm and midnight, those in the Central Belt had the chance to catch a glimpse. The northernmost regions could enjoy the lights until 5am tomorrow, provided the skies are clear and dark.

However, the Met Office notes that cloud cover may affect visibility in some areas. They recommend the best locations for catching a glimpse at the Northern Lights tonight are:

  • Highlands – areas around Inverness and Loch Ness, Caithness, Sutherland and Speyside

While September 1 offered a prime opportunity, those who missed it may get another chance over the next few nights.

Activity is expected to continue into Tuesday night, though “nighttime viewing conditions” will “worsen” with “not ideal viewing conditions”, the weather experts warned.

As for Wednesday night, no current solar activity is expected, however people eager to catch a glimpse can keep up to do on the Met Office website and social media pages for alerts.

Krista Hammond, Met Office space weather manager, said: “As we monitor the arrival of this coronal mass ejection, there is a real possibility of aurora sightings further south than usual on Monday night.

“While the best views are likely further north, anyone with clear, dark skies should keep an eye out. Forecasts can change rapidly, so we encourage the public to stay updated with the latest information,” she continues.

For Scots hoping to catch the beautiful Northern Lights, tonight could be a rare experience if all goes well regarding clear skies.

Join Edinburgh Live’s Whatsapp Community her e and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.