Capturing the Magic: Photographing the Northern Lights in Yorkshire
In a breathtaking twist of nature, the Northern Lights graced the skies of the UK in May 2024, creating a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. As the vivid hues of green, pink, and purple danced above, residents and photographers alike were blessed with the rare opportunity to witness and capture the aurora borealis right from our own backyards.
The Science Behind the Splendor
The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, is a natural light display predominantly normally seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. This mesmerising phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in Earth's atmosphere, these collisions cause energy emissions in the form of light, resulting in the stunning colours that paint the night sky.
Typically, the aurora is visible near the poles, but during periods of intense solar activity, known as solar storms, the lights can extend much further south. This May, an extraordinary solar storm allowed the aurora to be seen all over Europe, offering a rare and unforgettable visual display. I’ve always wanted to view and photograph the northern lights and I never expected that my first experience of this would be just up the road from home!
A Night of Wonders: Gallery of Aurora Borealis over Penistone
Seeing the Northern Lights in Yorkshire was an awe-inspiring experience. In this gallery, I’ve included a collection of images captured around Penistone, Yorkshire, during the magnificent aurora borealis display in May 2024, taken between 11pm and 2am. As the vibrant lights illuminated the night sky, I and many other photographers and sky watchers in Penistone were out lining the country lanes and fields viewing and capturing the celestial dance against the backdrops of local landmarks and landscapes. Enjoy this visual journey through one of Yorkshire’s most enchanting nights.
