Northern Lights Illuminate Somerset Skies as Met Office Confirms Rare Southern Display

Residents across Somerset and the South West were captivated by the stunning Northern Lights on the evening of Monday, January 19. The Met Office confirmed that this rare aurora borealis display extended as far south as Devon and Somerset, surprising many with its unexpected reach.

The spectacle, which began around 9:30 pm, was visible to those with clear, dark skies and minimal light pollution. The Met Office took to social media to alert residents, saying, “If you have clear skies currently outside, you may also be able to see the Northern Lights.” They added that while the arrival time was uncertain, sightings were possible not only in northern Britain but also in southern regions depending on cloud cover.

This breathtaking phenomenon was not limited to the UK; it was also observed across Canada and much of the northern United States. The Northern Lights, scientifically known as the aurora borealis, paint the night sky with shimmering waves of green, pink, red, and violet.

Typically associated with the Arctic Circle, these vivid light displays occasionally appear further south during periods of heightened solar activity. The Met Office explains that the aurora is caused by interactions between the solar wind—streams of charged particles emitted by the Sun—and the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.

Traveling at about one million miles per hour, solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field. When the magnetic polarity of the solar wind opposes that of Earth, particles are funneled into the atmosphere near the magnetic poles. There, they interact with gas molecules like oxygen and nitrogen, releasing colorful light.

The colors seen depend on both the type of gas involved and the altitude of the interaction. For the best viewing experience, the skies must be dark and clear of clouds, away from artificial lighting, conditions that allow the aurora to truly dazzle.

The Met Office emphasized that with favorable solar activity and geomagnetic conditions, the Northern Lights can offer a spectacular and rare spectacle even in the UK. They also indicated that the chance to witness this celestial event might continue into Tuesday night, encouraging skywatchers to keep an eye on the skies.