Northern Lights and meteor shower dazzle Channel Island sky-gazers

Over Bonne Nuit, Credit: Megan Langlois

There was a treat for star-gazers overnight, as the Northern Lights were visible in our skies for the second time this year.

It's rare to see the Aurora Borealis this far south, but a particularly strong geomagnetic storm means the spectacle has been captured on camera here, although with less intensity than in May.

Photos shared on social media suggest many islanders headed to Jersey's north coast see the pink/purple glow.

The colours are caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.

They are at their most impressive when the sun emits really large clouds of particles, so- called coronal mass ejections.

Experts say, with enhanced solar activity continuing, there could be more chances to see the Aurora over the coming months, although there is no certainly about how far south they will reach.

 Taken from Les Platons by Bekka Adams.

Sky-gazers have also reported seeing the Perseid meteor shower.

Astronomers say up to 100 meteors every hour could be visible into the early hours of this morning, looking like shooting stars.

The Perseid meteor shower has been at its peak since sunset on Monday and is associated with debris left by a comet.

 

 

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