The northern lights have put on a stunning display across the UK for a second consecutive night, with sightings reported as far south as Cornwall. The Met Office says there is a chance many places could see the aurora again tonight, though cloudy skies may limit views, particularly in the west of Scotland, which is expected to have the best vantage point.
Enthusiasts braved freezing temperatures to capture the phenomenon. Michelle Cumming, 42, from Moray in north-east Scotland, described making 'last minute dashes in my unicorn PJs' to see the lights. She often takes her dog Dexter, wrapped in a fleece blanket, on aurora-hunting trips.
BBC Weather Watchers sent in images from across the country, including pink skies over Lochmaddy in the Outer Hebrides, glowing yellow clouds in Derbyshire, and a spooky castle scene in Lochinver, Scottish Highlands. In Norfolk, a striking photo showed the lights over Poringland, while Suffolk captured the first quarter moon blending with the aurora.
The aurora is caused by solar flares sending charged particles towards Earth, which interact with the atmosphere. This solar wind travels at about one million miles per hour and merges with Earth’s magnetic field. Ancient myths include the Finnish legend of an Arctic fox’s tail sparks and the Norse tale of Valkyries’ shields, but the science remains equally captivating.
The Met Office advises that tonight’s best chance lies in the west of Scotland, though previous sightings in Northern Ireland, south Wales, and Norfolk suggest the display could still be widespread. Viewers are encouraged to share their photos via the BBC’s Get Involved page or email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
