Connect with us
DAPA Banner

NewsBeat

Northern Lights: Spectacular views across the world forecast to return | UK News

Published

on

The aurora borealis above Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Pic: PA

Parts of the UK enjoyed breathtaking views of the Northern Lights overnight – and more is forecast for Saturday.

The natural light show, known as the aurora borealis, is one of nature’s “most spectacular displays”, according to the Met Office.

Pictures from Friday night featured waves of mostly green and purple light at Bamburgh in Northumberland in the UK, as well as in Estonia and Canada, while social media users posted images taken elsewhere, including Russia.

Image:
Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Pic: PA

The Northern Lights over the Tallinn bay of the Baltic Sea in Tallinn, Estonia. Pic: AP
Image:
The Northern Lights over the Tallinn bay of the Baltic Sea in Tallinn, Estonia. Pic: AP

While the Northern Lights are mostly visible near the Arctic Circle and northern Scotland, the Met Office said “pale green and pink to vibrant reds, blues, and violets can sometimes light up the night sky, especially in the north of the UK”.

The Met Office said on Thursday there was a chance of seeing the northern lights “over the next couple of nights”, predicting sightings being “most likely across Scotland where skies are clear but perhaps into northern England too”.

Advertisement

What causes the Northern Lights?

The shimmering spectacle occurs when energy and charged particles released from the sun through coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares travel towards Earth on the solar wind and collide with the Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere, interacting with gases to create spectacular displays of blue, purple, green, pink and red.

If the solar activity is strong enough, it will cause a geomagnetic storm.

In January, the Met Office said the solar maximum was “all but confirmed to have taken place in 2024 and 2025”, meaning solar activity on the surface of the sun “appears to be in a declining phase”.

But it said this phase “can be a period which can often bring strong events, as evidenced by last week’s aurora visibility as far south as northern Italy”.

Will we see them again soon?

Advertisement

Several things need to occur for the skies over the UK to dazzle again.

Any solar eruptions that do occur need to be aimed at Earth and cause a strong geomagnetic storm.

It also needs to be dark enough, with settled weather allowing clear skies to see the aurora.

What’s the best way to capture them?

While the Northern Lights are visible to the naked eye, the colours often appear faint and muted compared with those captured by camera.

A robot on sea ice under the aurora borealis in Cambridge Bay, Canada. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A robot on sea ice under the aurora borealis in Cambridge Bay, Canada. Pic: Reuters

To take better pictures of the aerial phenomena, Adobe recommends using manual camera settings and a wide aperture on a camera.

It suggests using low shutter speeds, up to 20 seconds, as well as setting the camera’s ISO value all the way to 2,000 or higher – such settings are usually available in smartphones’ camera settings.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

Stacey Solomon leaves fans emotional with tribute to eldest child on 18th birthday

Published

on

Manchester Evening News

Mum-of-five Stacey shared a video montage of her son from over the years

Stacey Solomon has left her fans feeling emotional with a tribute to her eldest child on his 18th birthday.

Advertisement

Prior to meeting her husband Joe Swash, X Factor singer Stacey had sons Zachary and Leighton from a previous relationship. She and Joe went on to have three children, Rex, six, Rose, four, Belle, three.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday (March 21), Stacey posted a video montage of Zachary from over the years. Throughout the video he could be seen looking after his younger siblings.

She captioned the post: “I blinked & my baby boy turned 18. Zachary, growing up with you has been the biggest privilege of my life. Looking through our memories, every video I have of you shows just how special you are.

Advertisement

“The kindest man with the biggest heart. The world is so lucky to have an human like you in it. Happy birthday darling boy.

“To the moon & stars and back again. sorry that I’ve spent the whole morning crying. I’ll pull myself together eventually.”

Returning to her account later in the day, Stacey proceeded to share a number of pictures of her and Zachary from his birthday. Stacey stunned in white sleeveless jumpsuit, while Zachary sported a casual black t-shirt and shorts.

Advertisement

“Today is all about you Zachary. 18 wonderful years of you. We are SO lucky. Now let’s go OUT out @zachsolomon08,” she wrote.

The comments sections of Stacey’s posts saw her famous friends and fans rushing to explain why they got emotional by her kind words and wish Zachary a happy birthdAY.

Celebs Go Dating’s Nadia Essex said: “He really does have kind eyes. What a joy. You must be so proud.” Beauty expert Caroline Hirons added: “Happy Birthday Zachy!”

@squashedpickle wrote: “Happy birthday Zac! You’ve both watch each other grow.” @little_house_life posted: “Aw beautiful video Stacey. Happy 18th Birthday to Zach.”

Advertisement

@woodenyoulove1 commented: “Such a beautiful montage of your Zachary. Happy birthday young man.” @marie_buckingham stated: “Beautiful video, happy birthday, what an amazing loving lad.”

Meanwhile, in a week where Stacey had to address their relationship on This Morning, Joe shared a post of his own in honour of Zachary.

“Happy 18th birthday, Zachary! Watching you grow into such a kind and caring young man has been something really special. Wishing you nothing but success and happiness in the years ahead, this is just the start of something great,” he said.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Hotel could be demolished to make way for 14 new flats in March

Published

on

Cambridgeshire Live

The former hotel is in a ‘poor structural condition’

A mix of flats and houses could be built on site of a former Cambridgeshire hotel. Woodgate Developments Ltd has proposed to build 14 homes on site of the former Station Hotel in Station Road, March.

Advertisement

It also proposes to demolish the former hotel. Of the 14 homes proposed includes four one-bedded flats and 10 two-bedded flats. It also proposes cycle storage and parking.

The developers said it would deliver “much-needed housing” to the area and be the “regeneration of a prominent site”. The applicants added: “The redevelopment of the site will remove a redundant and deteriorating building and replace it with a well‑designed residential scheme that makes efficient use of a brownfield site in a highly accessible location.

“The proposal will contribute positively to the vitality of the area by introducing new residents who will support nearby services, facilities and public transport.” The developers propose to demolish the former hotel building as it is in a “poor structural condition and no longer suitable for reuse”.

If approved, the demolition will take place in a “controlled manner” and in line with health and safety regulations. In its conclusion, the developers added: “The proposed redevelopment of the former Station Hotel represents sustainable development.

Advertisement

“It makes efficient use of previously developed land, delivers high‑quality housing in a highly accessible location, and responds positively to its physical, social and environmental context.” The plans have attracted some objections, including from March Town Council.

The council said it has “ongoing concerns” about drainage at the site, and it was “very disappointed” the developers were “seeking not to deliver any affordable housing or make essential S106 contributions”.

It added: “Further, it is disappointing to see another building of historical value being destroyed.” A resident in Stevens Way, March, also objected to the plans.

They described the percentage of the site being developed as “excessive”, and the proposed height of the building would “dwarf” neighbouring buildings. They added: “The proposal would be completely out of character in its setting.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

When is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in World Open snooker final? First and second session times

Published

on

Daily Mirror
When is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing in World Open snooker final? First and second session times – The Mirror