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New Year Northern Lights caught on camera

kilburn Richy Northern lights visible over Kilburn in Derbyshirekilburn Richy
The Northern Lights were visible over Derbyshire and other parts of the East Midlands on New Year's Day

Skies over the East Midlands lit up on Wednesday night in the first display of the Northern Lights of 2025.

The phenomena, also known as aurora borealis, brought out many photographers hoping to capture the multicoloured lights.

BBC Weather Watchers managed to take some stunning pictures of the lights over Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Increased solar activity in recent months has meant displays have become more frequent - giving more people an opportunity to enjoy the celestial event.

bubs123 Pink northern lights over Ashbourne in Derbyshirebubs123
Ashbourne in Derbyshire

The Northern Lights happen when charged particles are blasted from the Sun and then collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

According to the Met Office, the displays often appear pale green, pink, shades of red, yellow, blue and violet.

Tammy Geese on a pond below a pink-tinted night skyTammy
Flocking to see the spectacle in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire

On Wednesday, the lights appeared in bright shades of pink, captured by those who braved the cold conditions.

Meatsy Pink northern lights over Newtown Linford in LeicestershireMeatsy
Newtown Linford in Leicestershire
Alice Pink northern lights display over Loughborough between two areas of thick cloud with a large tree in the foregroundAlice
The display was still visible in some cloudier areas on Wednesday night, such as in Loughborough (pictured) in Leicestershire

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