An intense aurora features greater numbers of and brighter colours(Image: Nottinghamshire Live)

Stunning Northern Lights photos capture colourful skies over Notts

The Met Office said a severe solar storm has revealed the lights this evening

by · NottinghamshireLive

The Northern Lights were captured in all their colourful glory tonight (Thursday) in the skies over Nottinghamshire. The aurora borealis could reportedly be visible across the country, including as far south as London, for the next few nights.

The Met Office said a severe solar storm has revealed the lights, which are caused by activity on the surface of the sun. They are usually only visible in the poles or surrounding areas. There are clear skies for much of the UK tonight (October 10) which, the Met Office said, gave the phenomenon a 'decent chance of visibility'.

On its website, the Met Office explains: "The northern lights (also known as aurora borealis) appear as large areas of colour including pale green, pink, shades of red, yellow, blue and violet in the direction due north. During a weak aurora, the colours are very faint and spread out whereas an intense aurora features greater numbers of and brighter colours which can be seen higher in the sky with a distinct arc.

"The northern lights are best seen in darkness, away from any light pollution. The lights generally extend from 50 miles to as high as 400 miles above the Earth's surface."

Scroll down for stunning images of the Northern Lights seen across Notts

The city was treated to a gorgeous sunset(Image: Nottinghamshire Live)
A severe solar storm has revealed the lights this evening(Image: Nottinghamshire Live)
An intense aurora features greater numbers of and brighter colours(Image: Nottinghamshire Live)
During a weak aurora, the colours are very faint and spread out(Image: Nottinghamshire Live)
The Northern Lights appear as large areas of colour including pale green, pink, shades of red, yellow, blue and violet(Image: Nottinghamshire Live)