Where can you see the Northern Lights tonight?
People in some parts of the UK may have a chance to see the Northern Lights for the second night in a row.
Thousands of Brits enjoyed the lights on New Year’s Eve, with another chance to see them on New Year’s Day.
Weather experts at AuroraWatch UK issued a red alert on Wednesday afternoon, indicating that the Northern lights are "likely" to be seen tonight.
So where can you spot them tonight?
Where can you see the Northern Lights tonight?
People in the east of Scotland, far north of England and Northern Ireland, have the best chances to see the natural phenomenon tonight.
However, cloud cover in many areas could make it harder to spot the lights.
What is the optimal time to see the lights?
The best chance to see the Northern Lights is between 6pm tonight and 3am tomorrow on Thursday.
However, the Met Office said people will be "less likely" to see the aurora after midnight.
Top viewing tips
ITV News meteorologist and weather presenter Chris Page has provided some tips for spotting the lights, known as Aurora Borealis:
Look to the northern horizon: The aurora is drawn towards the polar regions of the Earth. As a result you might not be able to see it directly overhead, but as it happens so high in sky look towards the northern horizon where it's likely to be dancing.
You can see it with the naked eye but cameras tend to capture it better. This is because cameras can adapt to different wave lengths better than our eyes. Give yourself time to adjust, at least 10 minutes.
Find dark, open spaces: Seek out locations away from city lights and other sources of light pollution. Open fields, parks, or remote areas with unobstructed views of the northern horizon are ideal for aurora watching.
Be patient and persistent: Seeing the aurora requires patience and persistence, as it can be unpredictable and may not appear every night, even during periods of high activity. Stay flexible with your plans and be prepared to wait for hours if necessary.
Use long exposures for photography: If you're interested in photographing the aurora, use a camera with manual settings and a tripod to capture long exposures. Experiment with different exposure times and ISO settings to achieve the best results.
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.
What's the science behind the Northern Lights?
Charged particles from the sun, primarily electrons and protons, collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, typically oxygen and nitrogen.
These collisions emit light at various wavelengths, creating vibrant displays of colour in the sky, often appearing as curtains, arcs, or bands of light.
The colours are determined by the type of gas particles involved and the altitude at which the collisions occur.
Greens appear due to interactions with oxygen, red is from oxygen in the upper atmosphere while blues and purples are due to the interaction of nitrogen.
Have you heard The Trapped? Listen as Daniel Hewitt exposes the UK's dirty secret