Residents across the UK were treated to spectacular views of the Northern Lights on Saturday night, with the aurora borealis visible as far south as Hampshire, Devon and Kent. The Met Office said sightings could continue until Tuesday, giving those who missed the display another chance.
Social media captures the display
People up and down the country shared images of the light show on social media. One person said: 'Managed to get a picture near Swindon tonight.' Another user reported that Bishopstone on the North Kent coast had enjoyed 'an excellent show for a good hour' and added: 'Definitely a “wow” night.'
What causes the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are caused by solar eruptions of charged particles, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The Sun released CMEs towards Earth at the end of last week. These particles can be captured by the Earth's magnetic field and enter the atmosphere, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen particles, emitting photons of coloured light.
How to spot them again
Experts have predicted that 2026 will be a particularly good year for spotting the Northern Lights due to increased sun activity, part of its natural 11-year cycle. To see them, find an area away from bright streetlights and look northwards through a mobile phone camera. Without the camera, you might not see the light show, as in low-light conditions our eyes use rod cells which do not perceive colour, so we see in black and white. Cameras, however, continue to perceive colour.
