Northern Lights may dazzle UK skies again Sunday and Monday
Northern Lights may dazzle UK skies again Sunday and Monday

The Met Office has said the Northern Lights could be visible in the UK again on Sunday and Monday night, after the aurora borealis turned skies pink and green on Saturday.

The display was seen from the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast down to Kent and Surrey. Forecasters say there is another chance to catch the phenomenon over the next few days.

Where the Northern Lights could be seen

Forecaster Greg Dewhurst said the lights could be a little weaker on Sunday night, so most likely to be seen across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. They may be stronger again on Monday night and could be seen further south into central areas.

The spectacle is often best seen through a camera rather than by the naked eye. "Long exposure camera shots may show something each night a little further south than the above visible by eye forecast," Mr Dewhurst added.

Why the aurora happens

The phenomenon is most visible around the equinoxes in spring and autumn, as it is triggered by solar activity. The sun emits charged particles known as solar wind, which are funnelled towards the magnetic poles when they interact with the Earth's magnetic field.

As these energetic particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, they release energy as light. Oxygen produces green and, at higher altitudes, red, while nitrogen creates blue and purple hues.