Edinburgh and the Lothians may be treated to a spectacular celestial display as the Met Office issues a rare alert for the Northern Lights .

The stunning phenomenon, also known as the Aurora Borealis , happens when solar particulars collide with Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant streaks of green, purple and red across the night sky.

The display is triggered by a geomagnetic storm, caused when shockwaves of solar wind, including Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) slam into the planet.

A fast-moving CME that left the sun on August 30 was expected to reach Earth on September 1, giving skywatchers across Scotland the chance to witness the picturesque sky, reports the Record .

The north of Scotland is traditionally the best place to view the lights, and tonight is no exception.

While t

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