Northern Lights dazzle across East Midlands

11 October 2024

Greig WatsonBBC News, East Midlands

News image — The colliery headstocks at Clipstone framed the Northern Lights in Nottinghamshire

Pete Taylor The colliery headstocks at Clipstone, with a purple sky behind — The colliery headstocks at Clipstone framed the Northern Lights in Nottinghamshire

The Northern Lights have put on a spectacular display across the East Midlands.

For several hours a celestial kaleidoscope played out across the autumn sky, from Retford in Nottinghamshire to Lutterworth in Leicestershire.

The Met Office had earlier said the lights, also known as aurora borealis, might be seen only as far south as the Midlands but they were visible through much of the UK.

The phenomena brought out hundreds of photographers to capture the moment, helped by widespread clear skies.

Shamrock Sean Green and pink lights over Ashbourne in Derbyshire — Green and pink lights over Ashbourne in Derbyshire

John M Pink and green skies over Swithland Reservoir in Leicestershire — The ornate buildings at Swithland Reservoir, Leicestershire, were bathed in light

The aurora happens when charged particles are blasted out of the sun and collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

They have been more visible in recent months because of increased solar activity.

Andy Houses in Mansfield, silhouetted against the colours of the northern lights — Houses in Mansfield, silhouetted against the colours of the Northern Lights

Neil Pinkish skies pictured behind the silhouette of North Leverton windmill in Nottinghamshire — The landmark of North Leverton windmill in Nottinghamshire features in this shot

Stacey Northern lights over residential houses in Belper — Some people only had to step out of their front doors to see the display, like this in Belper

Dave Wakelin View of the Northern Lights at the entrance to Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire — The spectacular display could also be seen at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire

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Northern Lights dazzle across East Midlands

Northern Lights shimmer over UK in stunning photos

Met Office