The Northern lights - NOT a book review but the real thing...

I was very lucky to be able to observe the recent solar storm interacting with the earths magnetic field (see I live with an astromoner), commonly known as the Aurora or northern lights which was visible over much of the north of Great Britain this week. What a beautiful experience - seen with the naked eye yards from my home - great long curtains of luminescent green light dancing across the sky above Amble.

We are lucky to have reasonably dark skies where we live and the Northern lights have been visible a few times since we have lived here but we have never managed to see such a wonderful display as this before.

We saw our new year in standing down the lane wrapped up in big jumpers and many coats - with a glass of fizz in hand and the fireworks over Amble popping and a faint Aurora in the far sky, it felt rather splendid but nothing as awe inspiring as the display on Sunday night - the photos are by my friend Caroline - excellent considering she was out in the dark with no warning at all other then a quick text from me - ' v good aurora get out now' Thanks to Caroline for sharing them .

What beauty can nature deliver!!!

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