Northern Lights pictured: Stunning images capture incredible aurora borealis phenomenon above UK

Northern Lights were seen in the sky across the UK

PA/GB NEWS
Dan Falvey

By Dan Falvey


Published: 11/05/2024

- 00:31

Updated: 12/05/2024

- 13:43

The Northern Lights has lit up the night sky with rare sightings across the country

Britons across the country have been treated to a rare view of the northern lights, with stunning images being shared by people across the United Kingdom.

A solar storm led to a rare phenomenon that caused the incredible display across the skies.


The severe solar storm, the first since 2005, supercharged the aurora borealis, making it visible in Scotland, Wales, and England.

Usually, the lights are only visible around the poles where the magnetic fields are at their strongest. However electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's magnetic field led to an even greater display than normal.

In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area – which explains why displays can be occasionally seen as far south as the UK.

Below, GB News has collated some of the best pictures from across the country.

The northern lights glow on the horizon over Basingstoke in Hampshire

PA

The aurora borealis at St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast

PA

The aurora borealis at St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast

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GB News viewer Sue Axon, based in Suffolk, captured some incredible images of the northern lights at Suffolk Yacht Harbour

SUE AXON

The lights were visible in the East of England over the river Orwell

SUE AXON

One Briton from just outside of Warboys in Cambridgeshire shared what they saw on social media

PA

Northern lights glow on the horizon in Great Horkesley, Essex

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The aurora borealis as seen at Another Place by Anthony Gormley, Crosby Beach, Liverpool

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The Northern Lights were incredibly visible in Liverpool

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The lights were clearly visible in South Northamptonshire

GB NEWS

The aurora borealis was even visible in London despite light pollution

GB NEWS

Londoners shared their pictures of the northern lights over the city

GB NEWS

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