Purple skies glow across Midlands in Northern lights display
Rare solar activity has caused the Northern Lights to be visible across the UK, including the West Midlands. The phenomenon, caused by charged particles from the Sun, has prompted widespread public interest and photography.
Why it matters
It serves as a public interest story regarding natural phenomena and space weather, highlighting the impact of solar activity on Earth.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Debbie Image caption, Stargazers in Ellesmere, Shropshire, captured this spectactular array of colours in the sky
Skies across the West Midlands were aglow with stunning shades of purple, pink, blue and green due to a rare display of the Northern Lights on Saturday night.
While the natural phenomenon, known as the Aurora Borealis, is typically associated with locations much further north, strong solar activity meant it was visible in parts of the UK where sightings are far less common.
The Met Office has said sightings could continue to be possible during clear skies until Tuesday.
The spectacular views prompted residents across Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Nuneaton to send in their photographs to the BBC.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Paull Image caption, In Hereford, residents could see a hint of green and dark pink and they looked up at the sky
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