Arabic version: الأضواء الشمالية تضيء سماء أنحاء المملكة المتحدة

According to BBC News, residents across the UK were stunned by Northern Lights displays on Friday and Saturday evenings, as spectacular colours illuminated the sky. Strong solar activity allowed the Aurora Borealis to be seen well beyond its usual locations near the Arctic Circle and northern Scotland.

On Saturday night, sightings extended across Wales and reached as far south as Devon, Hampshire and Kent. Images showed a pink haze over Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk, purple light above Owston Ferry in North Lincolnshire and Clawddnewydd in Denbighshire, and views from Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Herne Bay in Kent and Holmwood in Surrey.

The aurora is caused by powerful solar eruptions known as coronal mass ejections. Charged particles from these eruptions can be captured by the Earth’s magnetic field and directed into the atmosphere, particularly near polar regions. When the particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen, they emit photons of coloured light.

The chances of seeing the lights vary with their strength. Activity of 200nT can make the aurora visible in northern parts of the UK, but not the south. On Saturday evening, levels reached 600nT, enabling sightings across the whole country. The Met Office said displays could remain possible during clear skies until Tuesday, particularly across Scotland and similar geomagnetic longitudes. Viewers are advised to look north, away from bright streetlights, and use a mobile phone camera, as eyes do not perceive colour well in low-light conditions.