An aurora borealis phenomenon illuminated the skies above Sussex on Friday morning, October 11, with the potential for additional sightings in the coming evenings.
The natural light display was observed across both East and West Sussex during the early morning hours.
Members of the Argus Camera Club documented the event, with Joanna and Gemma recording images from Bognor and the vicinity of Arundel respectively.
According to the Met Office, the Northern Lights could reappear over the United Kingdom on Sunday night and Monday night.
Meteorological expert Greg Dewhurst indicated that Sunday’s display is expected to be somewhat subdued, with optimal viewing conditions likely limited to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England.
He suggested that Monday night may bring increased intensity, potentially allowing observations in more central regions of the country.
The spectacle sometimes proves more visible through photographic equipment than to the unaided eye.
Long exposure photography may reveal the phenomenon on successive evenings at latitudes somewhat further south than those visible without assistance.
The event occurs most frequently around the spring and autumn equinox periods.
The occurrence originates from solar activity.
The sun releases charged particles comprising solar wind, which interact with Earth’s magnetic field and become directed toward the planetary magnetic poles.
Collisions between these energetic particles and atmospheric gases at high altitude result in light energy release.
Oxygen generates green and, at greater heights, red coloration, while nitrogen produces blue and purple tints.