A major aurora alert has been issued with the Northern Lights set to hit our skies this weekend. 

For the first time since 2005, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre in the USA has issued its Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch. 

It could give one of the best ever viewing opportunities for people to see the Aurora Borealis here in Scotland. 

The lights will be most visible during Friday night, but may also be seen during Saturday night too.

Auroras are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by the solar wind, and can take many forms and colours.