Residents across northern England were treated to a breathtaking celestial spectacle overnight, as the Northern Lights illuminated the skies above Lancashire, Manchester, and Merseyside in vivid shades of red, pink, and green.
Darren Jones, a photographer from Lancashire, said he ventured out at midnight to the edge of the Forest of Bowland to capture the rare phenomenon. “The colours and rays were visible to the naked eye,” he said. “It’s one of the strongest displays I’ve seen this far south.”
Over Lancaster, the night sky was split dramatically by glowing light — with the upper half shining in a deep red and the lower half in a faint green. Locals described the scene as “otherworldly” and “mesmerizing.”
Observers in Heysham and Lancaster reported seeing brilliant bands of pink, red, and green hues dancing across the horizon. Many took to social media to share images of the natural wonder, which continued into the early hours.
In Manchester, a faint pink glow was visible through the clouds. One resident in Rusholme captured the sight from their bedroom window, noting how the colours pierced through the overcast sky, creating an eerie yet beautiful effect.
Meanwhile, in Merseyside, photographer Liam Blundell caught the skies above Formby glowing in a rich red at around 03:00 GMT. His photo, showing a telegraph pole silhouetted against the crimson-lit sky, quickly went viral online.
Experts say the dazzling display was caused by a surge of solar activity, as a powerful geomagnetic storm sent charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. The resulting light shows, known as the aurora borealis, are typically seen closer to the Arctic Circle — making their appearance over northern England particularly rare.
Astronomers noted that recent solar flares have increased the likelihood of auroral visibility further south. The UK Met Office confirmed that strong geomagnetic conditions had been forecast, giving skywatchers a chance to catch the lights even under partially cloudy skies.
Many who witnessed the event described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “You could feel the excitement in the air,” said one observer from Lancaster. “People were out in their pyjamas just staring at the sky.”
The Northern Lights are expected to remain visible in parts of the UK in the coming days if solar activity continues. Experts advise those hoping to catch a glimpse to head to dark, open areas away from city lights for the best view.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
