A Coronal Mass Ejection has arrived on Earth on January 19, providing ample opportunities for aurora enthusiasts in the UK to witness the awe-inspiring phenomenon. What is more, Northern Lights could still be visible from Scotland tonight (January 20) before it clears, with Glasgow in for a chance to catch a glimpse, too, during any clear spells.
The exact times the Northern Lights could be visible from Glasgow
The Met Office advises the affects of the storm are set to weaken by Wednesday, January 21, so locals have the best chance to see the Northern Lights in Glasgow from as soon as it gets dark on Tuesday, January 20. The sun sets at 16:25 in Glasgow, giving plenty of time to witness the aurora, provided some clear spells. However, the area might see some clouds tonight, so do check the weather forecast before going. After all, it might be worth travelling further afield!
The Met Office said: “A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that departed the Sun on 18 January reached Earth on the evening of 19 January UTC. G4/Severe geomagnetic storms were observed, producing widespread auroras visible across the UK, with reports extending as far south as northern Italy. By the evening of 20 January UTC, auroral activity is expected to decline, though it may still be visible in parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other similar latitudes with clear skies. Auroras are then forecast to return to background levels for the remainder of the period.”
Krista Hammond, space weather manager at the Met Office, said: “The CME is likely to result in geomagnetic storming, giving the potential to view the aurora. However, sightings are dependent on the CME arriving during hours of darkness and clear skies.”
“The effects of the CME may linger into Tuesday night, with aurora sightings possible across Scotland, perhaps also Northern Ireland and northern England, where skies are clear. This is likely to wane further by Wednesday night, perhaps with some glimpses possible from the far north of Scotland.”
What is a coronal mass ejection?
According to the Met Office, a coronal mass ejection is “an ejection of material from the sun’s surface into interplanetary space. If the material is directed towards the Earth, the event may result in a geomagnetic storm”. A geomagnetic storm is “a temporary disturbance in the Earth’s magnetosphere”, which is brought on by solar wind.
Where to see the Northern Lights?
To bag the best possibility of witnessing the aurora, watchers must go to a dark area. Beaches, elevated parks and hills work well for city areas, howeverm travelling to the countryside can boost one’s chances of seeing the Northern Lights even more. Why not stroll along the nearby beaches outside of Glasgow, such as Lunderston Bay or Millport Pier, or head up to Glasgow Necropolis or Alexandra Park? As always, do check the weather forecast before heading out, as travelling further afield might prove more fruitful!