Skies over the UK were turned shades of pink and green as the Northern Lights produced incredible displays for skygazers.

The impressive Aurora Borealis, usually only visible from northern parts of the British Isles, was visible across large parts of the UK overnight, including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and, unusually, southern England.

The display was triggered after America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its first severe solar storm warning since 2005 yesterday as a huge geomagnetic storm raced towards Earth.

The NOAA said the G5 geomagnetic storm, which is considered extreme and is the strongest level of geomagnetic storm, hit Earth on Thursday and brought with it the risk of affecting communications, GPS and power grids.

Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

The incredible display was also spotted across the northern US, Canada, Ireland and Northern Europe.

Here are some of the best pictures overnight from across the UK

And, here are some pictures of the display last night from across the world

Related posts:

London Bridge terrorist died after 12 shots by police – but narwhal tusk and pike also caused injuries Treasury admits staff held ‘impromptu’ drinks during lockdown last year Police concern for missing teen last seen leaving nightclub Sir David Attenborough named ‘Champion of the Earth’ by UN Gary Neville referred to attorney general over social media post New Epsom head vows to honour ‘courageous and driven’ Emma Pattison Nearly 2,000 homes still without power as Storm Otto leaves UK and moves on to Scandinavia 20,000 RMT railway workers to go on strike in June Three critically injured after plane crashes at airfield Flights suspended at Luton Airport as emergency crews respond to huge fire Boy, seven, killed in hit-and-run ‘I thought I was going to die’: The horror of living in a damp ridden home