05-04-2025
Parts of Cumbria treated to stunning northern lights display
Parts of Cumbria have been treated to a dazzling display of multi-coloured skies as the Northern Lights lit up the night.
News & Star Camera Club Member, Alan Graham was quick to capture and share stunning images of the skies as the aurora borealis shone over Derwentwater and the elusive lights were also spotted in Caldbeck.
Stargazers across the country have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights on numerous occasions in 2024 and the high solar activity has continued into 2025.
Caldbeck northern lights display - Carla Richardson (Image: Carla Richardson) The most recent reports of Northern Lights activity came earlier this week.
The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
The colours occur due to different gases in the Earth's atmosphere being energised by the charged particles.
Nitrogen and oxygen are the two most common gases in the atmosphere, with nitrogen emitting purple, blue and pink colours and oxygen emitting green.
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The aurora is elusive with specific conditions required and many people can wait all their life without seeing it.
Going forward, the Met Office's solar forecast said that ongoing fast solar winds have brought the potential for aurora sightings for parts of Scotland and similar geomagnetic latitudes, but activity is expected to gradually reduce through Saturday into Sunday.
