The Northern Lights have lit up the night sky with rare sightings across Merseyside.


The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora borealis, have been spotted in areas such as Formby, Crosby, Belle Vale and Norris Green. The visibility of the Northern Lights was increased on Friday because of an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).





The NOAA said the G5 geomagnetic storm, which is considered extreme and is the strongest level of a geomagnetic storm, hit Earth on Thursday and could affect communications, GPS and power grids.

The cause of this storm is a “large, complex” sunspot cluster that is 17 times the diameter of Earth, with the last storm with a G5 rating hitting Earth in October 2003, causing power outages in Sweden.



Photographer Colin Lane captured some incredible images of the Northern Lights in Crosby at around 11.30pm. Upon seeing the Aurora, Colin said: "It's mega guys, what a night...insane colours."

He said: “Although the shorter nights will limit the visibility window, there’s a good chance to see the aurora, particularly on Friday night and especially in Scotland, Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales.


“There could even be visibility further south if you have the right equipment.


“Those conditions could continue on Saturday night but we still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be.”


Mr Dixon said the combination of clear skies and enhanced activity from the sun reaching Earth would improve the chances of seeing the display.

Auroral displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.


In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.