Photographed in Many Parts of the UK
BBC Earth/The Telegraph UK, posted 24 September 2015
People across the UK have been enjoying the celestial display of the aurora borealis - or northern lights. The phenomenon is caused by eruptions on the surface of the Sun, and this most recent activity has been unexpectedly strong. The aurora was visible in the early hours of the morning bringing a spectacular sight to the skies
People across the UK experienced something rather special as they turned their eyes to the heavens - a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Spectacular red and green lights of the Aurora Borealis lit up skies as far south as Gloucestershire, Essex and Norfolk, the result of a strong magnetic storm. The lights were clearly visible in Glasgow, Orkney and Aberdeenshire in Scotland, at Preston in Lancashire and in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside. Above, Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) seen from the Ayr coastline, Scotland.
Excited aurora-spotters took to social media to share their photos and experiences of the lights. Above, the Northern Lights at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland.
The Northern lights were visible as far south as East Anglia. Here is a beautiful scene from Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk.
The Aurora Borealis captured over Dunnet Beach in Caithness by amatuer photographer Dawn Sinclair
Mark Hamblin's photograph of the Northern Lights over Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, Scotland.
The Northern Lights light up the night's sky at Embleton Bay in Northumberland
Crowds gather on the beach to watch the Northern lights seen near St Mary's lighthouse, Whitley Bay
The Northern Lights light up the night's sky at Embleton Bay in Northumberland
The aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights as they are commonly known, at St. Mary's Lighthouse and Visitor Centre, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
Northern lights, St Mary's lighthouse, Whitley Bay
The Northern lights seen in the night's sky over St Mary's lighthouse, Whitley Bay
The aurora borealis over Derwent Water near Keswick in the Lake District