Northern Lights dazzle in first display of 2025

New Year's Day saw the Northern Lights dazzle across North Yorkshire skies in the first display of 2025.

BBC Weather Watchers in areas including York, Skipton and Malton captured the pink, purple and green glow of the aurora borealis from about 17:30 GMT on Wednesday.

BBC lead weather presenter Simon King said the phenomenon had been caused by increased solar activity on New Year's Eve, with a geomagnetic storm sending bursts of energy towards Earth.

The charged particles entered the atmosphere on Wednesday evening, where interactions with oxygen and nitrogen created the vivid colours in the sky.

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

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