Northern Lights visible across Cumbria after solar activity

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 06:03 · Archive

The Northern Lights appeared across Cumbrian skies over the weekend, visible from Brampton to Whitehaven.

The Northern Lights appeared across Cumbrian skies over the weekend, with the colourful phenomenon visible in locations stretching from Brampton and Carlisle to Whitehaven. The display showed shades of green, pink and purple shimmering across the sky. Clear conditions provided ideal viewing opportunities, with stargazers sharing images on social media.

The aurora borealis is more commonly associated with regions closer to the Arctic Circle, but strong solar activity occasionally makes it visible across the UK. This weekend's display followed a series of coronal mass ejections from the Sun, which increased geomagnetic activity around Earth and expanded the area from which the aurora could be seen. The Met Office had forecast an increased chance of auroral sightings between October 10 and 13, particularly across Scotland and northern parts of the UK, with reports also received from northern England, Scotland and parts of the Midlands.

The phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field before colliding with oxygen and nitrogen high in the atmosphere, producing the colourful glow. Green is the most common colour, while red, purple and blue shades can also be visible depending on altitude and atmospheric conditions. Forecasters said there could be further opportunities to spot the Northern Lights over the coming days if skies remain clear, with northern England among the areas that may continue to have a chance of seeing the display.

How it is being reported

• Northern Lights dazzle skies across Cumbria from Brampton to WhitehavenResidents across Cumbria were treated to a spectacular display of the Northern Lights over the weekend as the aurora borealis lit up the night sky.Cumberland News · 13 Oct, 05:00
• Northern Lights dazzle skies across Cumbria from Brampton to WhitehavenResidents across Cumbria were treated to a spectacular display of the Northern Lights over the weekend as the aurora borealis lit up the night sky.Whitehaven News · 13 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Cumbria · Met Office · Scotland · England

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