SPOTTING the northern lights is a bucket list item for many – and lucky Scots could be in with a chance of ticking it off later this week.
A massive burst of solar activity, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), blasted off the Sun at around 1.30pm on Sunday, May 10.
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The northern lights are set to be visible over Scotland this week Credit: Getty
A massive burst of solar activity blasted off the Sun at around 1.30pm on Sunday, May 10 Credit: Alamy
The eruption has sent billions of tonnes of super-hot solar plasma and powerful magnetic fields hurtling toward Earth’s “strike zone.”
Now, any major solar flares or CMEs will be much more likely to be aimed towards the Earth.
And when the cloud of particles hits the Earth‘s magnetic shield, an Aurora Borealis is produced which can paint the night sky with shades of pink, purple and green.
Experts at the Met Office say a section of this expanding solar cloud could brush past the Earth on Wednesday, May 13.
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This is expected to spark a minor geomagnetic storm, making it much more likely for stargazers in Scotland and the rest of the UK to spot the dazzling display
The Met Office says: “Auroral activity is expected to be mostly at background levels. However, there is the potential for a glancing CME arriving into early UTC on 13 May.
“This may bring an enhancement to the auroral oval, perhaps allowing sightings across northern Scotland and similar geomagnetic latitudes, where skies are clear.”
While the northern lights are seen in the UK several times a year, 2026 is expected to be a peak year as the Sun reaches the height of its 11-year cycle.
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Scotland and other high-latitude regions are prime locations for catching a glimpse of an aurora every few months.
However, powerful solar storms make them visible across the UK between September and March.
Best tips for seeing an aurora
The Met Office has laid out its best tip for catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Always check the weather forecast before you set off.
High cloud cover is the enemy of the Aurora and can block the display entirely.
In order to see the lights, you need to get away from the light pollution of busy towns and cities.
Finding a dark, rural location far from street lights is best.
Scan the northern horizon for unusual light patterns.
While the display can sometimes be clear as day, it often starts as a faint, dancing mist.
Don’t be disheartened if the lights look faint to the naked eye.
The Aurora often appears much brighter in photographs because cameras use long exposure.