Northern lights could still be seen over Birmingham until Tuesday

Skywatchers in Birmingham may get another chance to see the northern lights tonight, after the aurora was spotted across the region at the weekend.

Shades of pink, purple and green lit up the sky on Saturday night, and the Met Office says sightings could remain possible during clear spells until Tuesday, depending on solar activity and local weather.

What causes the northern lights?

The aurora borealis happens when charged particles from the Sun reach the Earth and collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, making them glow. Oxygen produces green and red light, while nitrogen gives blue and purple.

The lights are usually seen close to the Arctic Circle, but when the Sun is especially active, a burst of particles can push the display much further south, bringing it within view of England.

How to see them

The best chance is somewhere with clear skies and as little light pollution as possible, away from street lights and brightly lit buildings. In and around Birmingham, that means heading for open, darker spaces on the edge of the city, such as the Lickey Hills or Sutton Park.

Tips for spotting the lights include:

• look towards the northern horizon, although the display can move and change through the night
• give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark, and avoid looking at your phone screen
• try taking a photo with your phone: cameras often pick up colours that are hard to see with the naked eye
• check the Met Office space weather forecast and aurora alert services before heading out

Sightings are not guaranteed. Visibility depends on the strength of the aurora, cloud cover and conditions where you are.

The week's weather

The Met Office expects a changeable few days, with a frontal system bringing cloud and outbreaks of rain on Monday, and gales along coasts and over high ground in the north and west on Monday night. Tuesday looks windy and unusually mild for October, especially in the south and east of England, with temperatures reaching the low 20s Celsius in the warmest spots before cooler air returns.

Cloud from that weather system could limit the chances of seeing the aurora in some areas, so anyone hoping for a glimpse should watch for breaks in the cloud.

A busy solar cycle

The Sun has been going through the most active part of its roughly 11-year cycle, which is why the northern lights have been seen from England more often than usual over the past couple of years. Scientists say strong displays may continue to happen from time to time as activity gradually declines.

Anyone who misses this display need not give up: the Met Office issues aurora alerts when a strong burst of solar activity is on its way, and the next opportunity may not be far off.