Rare sighting of Northern Lights in Cornwall
Star-gazers across the Duchy were treated to the colourful wave patterns across the sky
Last updated 27th Feb 2023
Star-gazers in Cornwall were treated to a rare sighting of the Northern Lights last night (Sunday 26 February).
The spectacular displays are usually only seen in the Arctic circle.
However, people across the Duchy - and in other places across the country - were able to see the colourful wave patterns across the sky,
The Met Office say we're likely to see the Aurora Borealis again tonight (Monday 27 February).
What causes the Northern Lights?
The Northern lights are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by the solar wind.
The Met Office said a "coronal hole high speed stream combined with a rather fast coronal mass ejection" led to Aurora sightings across the UK.
Dave from the Kernow Weather Team says it's a "rare event": "A few days ago there was a big solar flare and there's been two right on top of each other. That interacts with the poles and the gases and it causes your Northern Lights.
"Normally the KP-index is 4 or 5, but last night and tonight they're estimating it'll be about 6 or 7 - so you might be able to see it again tonight in Cornwall.
"Up to about midnight it's going to be quite cloudy, so you might just see a green glow in the clouds, but after midnight it's looking like the clouds will break up.
"You're going to have to be in a dark place and quite high up. Start looking anywhere between the North West and North East and really wrap up again because it's going to be cold if you're heading out."