Northern Lights illuminate UK skies

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People across the Northern Hemisphere have been enjoying the celestial display of the Aurora Borealis - or Northern Lights.

The phenomenon is caused by eruptions on the surface of the Sun, and this most recent activity has been unexpectedly strong.

People in the north of the United Kingdom have been sending the BBC images of the light show, as they saw it on Tuesday night.

Image source, Ade Fisher
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Ade Fisher captured this example of the lights in Whitehaven Harbour, Cumbria

Image source, Barry Hughes
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The lights above Slemish mountain in County Antrim, Northern Ireland turned green for St Patrick's Day

Image source, Steven Williams
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Cumbria's skies turned shades of green and purple as a result of the geomagnetic storm, which causes the phenomenon

Image source, Chris Murray
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The unexpectedly strong geomagnetic storm meant the lights - seen here in Lewis in the Western Isles - spread far and wide

Image source, Chris Murray
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Such solar activity can sometimes cause disruption to satellite communications, but there are no such reports of this occurring so far

Image source, Mark Slater
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This light show was also captured at Stanage Edge, near Hathersage in the Peak District

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