Will the Northern Lights be visible over the West Midlands on New Year's Eve? Here's what the experts say
A timely explosion on the surface of the sun could lead to the Northern Lights putting on a show on New Year's Eve.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Sky-watchers in the West Midlands have been put on alert for the Aurora to put on a timely New Year show – if the clouds part.
The Met Office says a coronal mass ejection left the surface of the sun on Sunday and is heading in an earthbound direction.
Space-watchers have issued a geomagnetic storm watch for a G3 storm from 12pm (noon) on December 31 to 12pm on January 1.
A G3 storm could see the Northern Lights become visible as far south as Wales and and Midlands.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said that aurora sightings are possible on New Year’s Eve.
“A coronal mass ejection (CME) which left the Sun early on December 29, is expected to arrive on New Year’s Eve.”
But they add that we will need the clouds to part to see them.
“But, although the Northern Lights may be in place, visibility could hamper any sightings,” they add.
