Northern Lights could be visible for a whole week thanks to combination of three unique 'factors'

Northern Lights could be visible for a whole week thanks to combination of three unique 'factors' The UK could be set for some spectacular shows in the coming days A weather expert says there is a 'greater chance' of seeing the Northern Lights over the next week. BBC's Simon King said that three unique factors combining could mean the spectacular display - also known as the Aurora Borealis - greatly enhance the chances of seeing it. Mr King said that a combination of the longer, darker nights seen at this time of year, disturbances on the sun, and something known as the Russell-McPherron effect could lead to 'peak' aurora viewing. The Met Office says that September and October are among the best times of year to see the Northern Lights, along with March and April. However, it is still important to find locations with little or no light pollution and cloud cover to ensure a decent show. Will they be visible next week? Mr King said: "You could be in luck because there's a greater chance of seeing the spectacle over the next week. Here's why. "Aurora spotting depends on a few factors. The first is we need longer and darker nights, and as we're now heading towards the Autumn equinox, our night-time will soon become longer than daylight. "Secondly, disturbances on the sun - known as sunspots, need to be pointing towards the Earth. It's these sunspots that can erupt, sending lots of energy into space, entering our atmosphere, interacting with oxygen and nitrogen to produce the colours we know as the aurora. "And finally, a phenomenon known as the Russell-McPherron effect. This tends to bring a peak in aurora viewing just because of the way the Earth is orientated towards the Sun during the equinox." Best way to see the lights - Find dark, clear skies: Light pollution and cloud cover can obscure the view, so head to remote areas and look north. - Best locations: North-facing coasts and rural spots offer the best vantage points. - Timing: The lights are most active around the Equinoxes, but strong solar activity can bring surprises at other times of the year The Russell-McPherron effect Mr King continued: "The effect known as 'Russell-McPherron' is down to the alignment of the Sun and Earth around the spring and autumn equinox and means that you are twice as likely to see the aurora in spring and autumn than winter and summer. "Earth is tilted on an axis of 23.5 degrees. On its orbit around the Sun, that tilt is either towards or away from the Sun at the solstices - which in the northern hemisphere is summer and winter respectively. At the equinoxes in March and September, Earth is neither tilted towards or away from the Sun in relation to its axis. "This varying Sun-Earth alignment throughout the year results in differences to the amount of solar energy that interacts with Earth's magnetic field and therefore changes the strength of aurora.." What causes the Northern Lights? According to the Met Office: "The phenomenon is triggered by solar activity. The Sun emits charged particles known as solar wind, which travel at around 1 million miles per hour. "When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field—especially when the solar wind’s polarity is opposite to Earth’s—they are funneled toward the magnetic poles. "As these energetic particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, they release energy in the form of light. Oxygen produces green and, at higher altitudes, rare red auroras, while nitrogen creates blue and purple hues." The equivalent display in the southern hemisphere is known as the southern lights or aurora australis.