Rare Northern Lights phenomenon turns UK skies green and pink

Skies across Devon were lit up on Monday evening as the Northern Lights became visible across the county in the late evening. 

Residents from coastal and rural areas reported seeing pink and green hues glowing above the horizon, with clearer views in darker locations away from light pollution.

The rare display followed increased solar activity, allowing the aurora to be seen much further south than is usually possible.

The Met Office explains that the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are triggered by solar activity. The Sun emits charged particles known as solar wind, which travel at speeds of around one million miles per hour.

ABOVE: Northern Lights visible over Barnstaple on Monday evening, January 19. Credit: AW Photographic

When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, particularly when the solar wind’s polarity is opposite to Earth’s, they are funnelled towards the magnetic poles. As the particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light.

Oxygen produces green and, at higher altitudes, rare red auroras, while nitrogen creates blue and purple colours.

The Northern Lights are most commonly visible in Scotland, northern England, North Wales and Northern Ireland. However, during periods of intense solar activity, the phenomenon can be seen much further south, including across Devon.