Northern Lights light up skies across South East England in rare display

The Northern Lights were visible as far south as Kent, Sussex, and Surrey in the strongest showing since May.

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, illuminated the skies over southern England on Thursday night, creating a rare spectacle. The lights, typically associated with polar regions, were visible across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. This was the strongest and most widespread appearance of the Northern Lights in the UK since May, according to BBC Weather.

BBC Lead Weather Presenter Simon King explained, "What used to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for people to see it in the UK – or a bucket list trip to the Arctic circle – has become more common in the last couple of years." The increased frequency of aurora sightings in the UK is attributed to changes in solar activity.

Meteorologists recommend using long exposure photography to capture the phenomenon, as it is often not easily visible to the naked eye. Numerous photographers shared their images with BBC South East, showcasing pink and green skies across the region. Among the locations where the lights were seen were Brighton, Eastbourne, and Sevenoaks, with many photos featuring vibrant skies above famous landmarks and natural settings.

The aurora's dazzling display brought attention to the atmospheric phenomenon, typically only visible in the far north, delighting both seasoned photographers and curious residents in southern England.