Northern Lights return to Colchester to light up night sky

The Northern Lights, also known as an aurora borealis, were once again visible throughout the UK earlier this week.

Christian Jago, 31, from Colchester, was one of the lucky residents to snap some stunning shots of them lighting up the night sky.

He said: “I live in Mile End, so I only travelled a short distance to a field near where I live to take the photographs.

Unique - Colchester residents will hope to be treated once again very soon (Image: Christian Jago)

“It is breathtaking to witness, even if you can only see it through the camera. Although it was cold, the adrenaline of catching a glimpse keeps you going.

“There was another display last month, which you could just make out with your eyes as very faint movement in the sky, almost like a cloud.

“This is the third time I've experienced it. I first saw it in Iceland in 2020, but only as a very faint glow on the horizon, so I was a bit disappointed. I'd never have thought I'd be able to see it as far south as Colchester, twice.

“From what I understand, the sun is in a period of peak solar activity, so there's a strong likelihood of catching more glimpses over the coming months and years.”

It is not the first time they have been visible this year, with some more great pictures captured back in May.

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights appear as swirling and bright curtains of colour, stretching across the night sky, with colours of green, purple, pink and scarlet illuminating the darkness.

They are caused by charged particles from the sun, which travel towards Earth, hitting gases in the planet's atmosphere and energising them. 

The different colours come from the different gases in the atmosphere, with most commonly oxygen, which appears green, and nitrogen, which becomes visible through purple, blue and pink.