A natural light display in the form of vibrant Northern Lights stole the show across regions of the UK and overshadowed the nation’s annual Bonfire Night on November 5th. Social media networks lit up with images and sped-up videos showcasing swirling greens, magentas, and reds over Northumberland and Aberdeenshire. Reports indicated that a major geomagnetic storm was responsible for the auroras being seen much further south than their usual location, with sightings extending into Kent and the Isle of Wight.
According to experts, the display was caused by an eruption on the sun’s surface which caused a coronal mass ejection that delivered a burst of particles and magnetic fields into the Earth’s atmosphere. The interaction of these ejected particles with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere led to the release of swathes of brightly coloured light in the polar regions. This rare and beautiful occurrence became visible to the naked eye against the backdrop of the night sky in certain parts of the world, including the UK.
Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the sun, known as solar wind, collide with the Earth’s magnetic field and react with gases in the atmosphere. This reaction leads to the release of energy as light, and produces a dazzling aurora. While Northern Lights are a common phenomenon in countries located close to the Arctic Circle such as Iceland and Norway, these recent sightings were remarkable due to the fact that they were seen in areas such as Kent that hardly ever experience such a phenomenon.
To catch a glimpse of this awe-inspiring natural spectacle, a clear night sky is required with little to no light pollution. For people living in Northern areas, however, the Northern Lights can be a regular sight during the winter months. Nonetheless, their appearance is never guaranteed, and sightings depend on solar activity and clear weather conditions. Despite the ongoing pandemic and restrictions, the Northern Lights gave UK residents something to marvel in awe at, particularly for those who were fortunate enough to witness it in person
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