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The aurora borealis or Northern Lights in North Norfolk in the evening on Friday 12 September 2014 Photo: Adam Payne / Norfolk Geeks
The aurora borealis or Northern Lights have been spotted as far south as North Norfolk.
The brightly-coloured patterns in the sky are caused by highly-charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth's atmosphere and its magnetic field.
The aurora are more commonly seen in more northern latitudes.
The aurora reflected in the water at Burnham Overy Staithe in Norfolk.
The aurora reflected in the water at Burnham Overy Staithe in Norfolk. Credit: Chris Lewis / C and D Lewis Photography
"Occasionally there are large explosions on the Sun and huge amounts of magnetically charged particles are thrown out into space (Coronal Mass Ejections). If these particles travel towards Earth they interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and increase global geomagnetic activity. The increased activity releases energy into the atmosphere giving off light in the process, which we call the Northern Lights or the aurora borealis."
– MET OFFICE BLOG
Shaun Reynolds told ITV News Anglia he taken a trip to Weybourne on the north Norfolk coast in the early hours of Saturday morning after visiting the Norwich Astro Society.
He said: "Got there at 2am, couldn't see any activity with naked eye but shot some pics . When I processed them, there is the faintest of glow on horizon."
A faint glow on the horizon at Weybourne, Norfolk after a long-exposure shot.
A faint glow on the horizon at Weybourne, Norfolk after a long-exposure shot. Credit: Shaun Reynolds
This week has seen two Coronal Mass Ejections from the sun; the first arrived on Thursday night with the second on Friday night.
The Met Office said the combined effect increased the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Britain.
The Space Weather Prediction Center in the United States reported the ejections from the sun have cause a "strong" geomagnetic storm on Earth.
It was measured at three on a five-point scale which mean it could disrupt power supplies, satellite navigation and high-frequency radio signals.
Lots of photos
http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2014-09- ... st-anglia/
Last updated Sat 13 Sep 2014
