The Northern Lights are set to be visible again over Swindon and Wiltshire tonight.

Stargazers across the country have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, several times already in 2024.

A red alert was issued back in August by AuroaWatch UK to indicate that a sighting was possible all over the UK before another red alert was issued earlier this month.

Photographers across Swindon and Wiltshire spotted the phenomenon last week and captured some stunning photos.

Local picture snappers may have another chance to do so this evening as AuroaWatch UK has issued an amber warning ahead of tonight.

Read More: Northern Lights seen in UK as Wiltshire skies turn purple

(Image: PA) The Northern Lights will most likely be visible from 11pm onwards with sightings often made in the early hours of the morning.

They generally appear in high-latitude regions such as the Arctic or Scandinavia.

However, whether or not they're seen will also depend on the level of cloud cover sitting over the area and several other atmospheric factors. 

The colourful glow of the northern lights is caused by a stream of charged particles that have escaped the sun (known as solar wind) interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field.

The particles hit our atmosphere at high speed and combine with oxygen and nitrogen to create a multicoloured burst.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app