Stargazers were given a real "out of this world" treat recently when the beautiful Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, made a very rare appearance across parts of Britain.
Tan Hill Pub on the Pennine Mooreland, North Yorkshire
It is very rarely seen in the UK but residents in Scotland and as far south as Cleveland, Cumbria, Northumberland and Yorkshire were treated to the stunning Green lighting up the sky last weekend. Scientists are even predicting that even Londoners may even be able to catch a glimpse over this next coming week, madness!
All of this is apparently due to unusual solar activity occurring because the sun is in the middle of an active phase of its 11yr solar weather cycle. The lights were seen due to a powerful flare erupting from the sun last Thursday which unleashed a plasma wave that supercharged the lights into high latitudes.
Very interesting indeed if you ask me and a wonderful treat for those in the UK who were lucky enough to catch a good glimpse. If you were not one of the lucky ones then don't fret as 2012 is the year for the Aurora Borealis and there are many cruise lines who head that way. Hurtigruten specialise in trips to Norway for the Northern lights along with other lines such as Fred Olsen and P&O Cruises offering Norway and Iceland itineraries, but hurry they are very popular and sell out fast!!
