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The Northern Lights have lit up the evening skies throughout the UK, with hues of inexperienced and purple dancing throughout the skies as far south as Cornwall.
People additionally reported seeing the display, known as the aurora borealis, on Sunday evening throughout Scotland, Merseyside and Wales.
According to the Met Office, the northern lights are normally finest witnessed in Scotland, North England, North Wales and Northern Ireland.
However, below sure, area climate situations, they are often seen all through the UK.
While auroras are extra generally noticed in northern areas like Scotland, seeing them in different components of the UK, as seen final evening in southern UK, is exceptionally uncommon
Dr Minjae Kim, University of Warwick
The pure mild display is attributable to charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic subject.
The color display relies upon partially on what molecules the charged particles work together with.
Red and inexperienced colors have a tendency to be hallmarks of oxygen, pink and purple the indicators of nitrogen with blue and purple being the outcomes of hydrogen and helium.
Dr Minjae Kim, analysis fellow, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, mentioned: “During periods of heightened geomagnetic activity, the auroral ovals expand, allowing for sightings further south in the UK.
“While auroras are more commonly observed in northern regions like Scotland, seeing them in other parts of the UK, as seen last night in southern UK, is exceptionally rare.”
Late September to mid-March is mostly thought-about the very best interval for aurora sightings.
Clear, cloud-free skies in darkish places with minimal mild air pollution, going through the northern horizon supply the very best situations for seeing the display.
Dr Kim mentioned thar among the finest locations for aurora viewing embody: Brecon Beacons National Park, a global darkish sky reserve in Wales; Exmoor National Park, a global darkish sky reserve in England; Galloway Forest Park, a global darkish sky park in Scotland; and Kerry worldwide darkish sky reserve in Ireland.
The prime viewing instances are through the darkest hours normally from 11pm to midnight, however the lights are sometimes seen between 9pm and 2am.
Forecasting when the Northern Lights can be seen from the UK once more is tough however, in accordance to the BGS Global geomagnetic exercise forecast, no vital enhancements are anticipated.
Dr Kim mentioned: “Geomagnetic activity is forecasted to remain relatively quiet for the remainder of this period.
“As a result, it might be challenging to observe the aurora.
“However, tonight (March 4-5) appears to be the most promising night for aurora viewing, albeit still not highly active.”
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