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WE are in the perfect place to enjoy two nights of the spectacular aurora light show – as long as the weather plays ball.

The night-time spectacular, which should be visible tonight and tomorrow night, is the result of disruption to the Earth’s magnetic field which is being caused right now by the sun’s strong solar winds blasting our upper atmosphere.

The big problem is – we can’t see it if it is too cloudy.

Dr Nathan Case of Lancaster University’s physics department is one of the team behind the AuroraWatch UK service.

He said: "The Highlands is a good mix of high and north, but you just have to hope for good weather."

He explained how we should expect a lot of activity until Saturday, when the effects will start to subside.

The information comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States of America which makes predictions and passes on information to AuroraWatch UK which in turn monitors it’s own readings to give real-time information on how disturbed the magnetic field is.

Dr Case has some tips for anyone desperate to see the aurora in all its glory. He said: "The clue is in the name, it’s the ‘Northern Lights’ so look for northern horizons and beaches with a northern view.

"You also need dark skies with no light pollution and a clear night sky so you can see it."

His last tip was to follow AuroraWatch UK online for alerts and updates.

A green alert, means there is minor activity which can only be viewed from the north of Scotland, amber means they are visible from the north of Scotland and England. Red means UK wide. However, we could experience waves of green and amber level waves for the next few days with a slight chance of red G3-level storm.

There have already been sightings this month with photographer Darren Chisholm catching the Northern Lights on September 26 at the Castle Stuart Golf Club.

For more information visit: aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk and www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk