An Ipswich dad has shared his delight after seeing Northern Lights over his home after hunting the aurora for years.
The aurora borealis could be seen in the skies over Suffolk on Thursday night and in the early hours of Friday morning.
While a pink hue was visible to some with a naked eye, most people were able to capture the spectacle using cameras and phones.
John Tallent, who lives in Chesterfield Drive in Ipswich, was delighted to see the Northern Lights after previous unsuccessful attempts.
"My daughter Grace and I went to Norway last year with the specific intention of seeing the aurora, but failed miserably, and ironically last night saw them outside our house," he said on Friday.
"We were so delighted to see them - I have been hunting them for years.
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"My wife Patricia and I woke Grace up at around 12.30am because we knew she wanted to see them. She was very excited."
"It's almost an out-of-world experience, we could see the lights swirling around for a time."
Aurora displays happen when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.
They are influenced by geomagnetic storms which originate from activity on the sun.
As they collide, light is emitted at various wavelengths, creating colourful displays in the sky.
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A spokesman for the Met Office said there had been “more space weather events in recent months”, including the Northern Lights, because the sun was nearing the peak of its solar cycle.
It also means there is a chance to see the aurora in the Suffolk skies again as the peak is expected to last until mid-2025.
Readers have been sending us pictures of the Northern Lights, and we're delighted to be able to share a selection with you.
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