Northern lights shine across the North East coast

Last night the breathtaking northern lights were visable across the North East coastline.

Also known as Aurora Borealis, the natural phenonemenon is normally only visible from the Polar Regions or northern European countries such as Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland.

However, over the last couple of days, they have been seen as far south as Cambridgeshire.

Caused by the collision of charged particles in the solar wind with molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, the light created is dependent on what size gas molecule is hit and at what position. Different energy released results in different wavelengths of light.

The Met Office has said the only reason we could be experiencing the light display this far south is due to “a severe or extreme geomagnetic storm.”

There is still a chance for people of the North East to see them one last time tonight- as long as the clouds stay away- but they will be more faint as the solar activity eases.

As always, Aurora Borealis is more visible where light pollution is minimal. So the sea may be your best bet.

Here are some of the views from North Shields last night.