Northern Lights in Hoylake by Donna Davenport(Image: Liverpool ECHO)

Northern Lights tonight in pictures from across Merseyside

by · Liverpool Echo

Many people witnessed the weather phenomenon tonight

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People across Merseyside have been lucky enough to see the Northern Lights this evening. The weather phenomenon, also known as aurora borealis, are most likely to be visible in areas of clear sky.

Remote, open areas with views of the northern horizon are best for sightings, with the lights unlikely to be visible until it gets very dark. Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

As they collide, light is emitted at various wavelengths, creating colourful displays in the sky. In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

Northern Lights could be seen across Merseyside tonight

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When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area, which explains why displays can be occasionally seen as far south as the UK. ECHO readers have been sending in their photos of tonight's mesmerising sky. Take a look to see if yours is featured below.

  1. Northern Lights on New Brighton Beach by Nicola Clarke
    1 of 9(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
  2. Northern Lights in Kirkby by Olivia Rawley
    2 of 9(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
  3. Northern Lights in Norris Green by Ste Carroll
    3 of 9(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
  1. Northern Lights in New Brighton from Kerri Burson
    4 of 9(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
  2. Crosby Beach Northern Lights from Simon Williams
    5 of 9(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
  3. Northern Lights in Hoylake by Donna Davenport
    6 of 9(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
  1. Northern Lights in St Helens from Jennifer Kaye
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  2. Northern Lights in Old Road from Hannah Eccleston
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  3. Northern Lights in Crosby by Jonathon Wild
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