There's a chance to spot the Northern Lights in Norfolk tonight.
In a very rare display, the northern lights were seen as far south as Kent and Cornwall yesterday (Sunday night).
Across more northern areas of the UK, the display was one of the best seen in a very long time according to BBC Weather Watchers.
An aurora is formed by a solar flare erupting on the Sun, sending charged particles toward Earth which interact with our atmosphere.
Gary Pearson, a photographer from Norfolk, caught the dancing colours in the sky over Brancaster Staithe:
More displays are expected in the coming nights.
Norfolk has a number of designated dark sky areas - these are locations where there is little light pollution, making for the best chance to observe the night sky.
Norfolk Coast AONB – Dark Sky Discovery Sites:
- Kelling Heath Holiday Park
Darkness rating: Two-star (Milky Way class, with events) with an SQM* reading of: 21.23
Location: Sports field within the complex of Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Weybourne, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7HW. Visit the Kelling Heath website.
Grid reference: TG 10681 41270 (lat/long: 52.927481N, 1.132964E)
Directions: From entrance to the Park, drive to the main car park adjacent to the Village Square. From here follow the main road on foot, to the left for around 200m until you reach a track on the right. Walk approximately 55m down the track until you reach the sports field.
-
Wiveton Downs
Darkness rating: Two-star (Milky Way class) with an SQM* reading of: 21.26
Location: A very dark, elevated, heathland site valued for its geology. It offers very good site lines in all directions.
Grid reference: TG 03136 42176 (lat/long: 52.938524N, 1.021451E)
Directions: NR257SN: Travel 1200m south-west from Wiveton village. At the brown sign turn left over a cattle grid and into the reserve car park.
-
Barrow Common, Brancaster
Darkness rating: Two-star (Milky Way class) with an SQM* reading of: 21.23
Location: A very dark, elevated, heathland site with very good site lines and a spectacular 180° view of the north horizon.
Grid reference: TF 79040 43339 (lat/long: 52.957538N, 0.66398390E)
Directions: From the A149 at the Jolly Sailors pub in Brancaster Staithe, head south on Common Lane for 1km to Barrow Common.
-
RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve
Darkness rating: Two-star (Milky Way class) with an SQM* reading of: 21.26
Location: A very dark site on a raised embankment, surrounded by wetland habitat, with impressive 360° views of the horizon.
Grid reference: TF 74948 43954 (lat/long: 52.964408N 0.60344902E)
Directions: Follow signs from the A149 Coast Road to RSPB Titchwell. Note that there is limited parking in the staff car park after 5.00pm and ample spaces in main car park. From the car park follow path past visitor centre onto main reserve path. Walk north for approximately 150m to the first bench.
You can find out more on the Dark Sky in Norfolk website, here.
Got a photo of the Northern Lights over Norfolk to share?
We love seeing your shots of our county!
Share them with us on our Facebook page.