The northern lights are best viewed around the Earth's magnetic poles, in areas without light pollution, in the Southern and Northern hemispheres.

The sun is currently undergoing its solar maximum - the peak of its 11-year cycle - when it is more likely to experience heightened solar activity, possibly creating more Northern Lights on Earth.

The Met Office forecast the effects of a coronial mass ejection - a burst of material from the sun into space - would result in the colourful displays across northern parts of the UK from Tuesday even