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Epic Northern Lights show dazzles UK skies

Check out this timelapse of the Northern Lights in East Yorkshire! It was taken over three hours and 40 minutes and is made of 782 separate photographs!

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have been dancing across UK skies this week.

They were caused by a strong solar storm, and stargazers across the UK have taken epic photos from northern Scotland all the way down to Kent.

But don't worry if you missed them! We've got you covered.

More on the Northern Lights

A view across a rocky beach as the tide is out, revealing old tall wooden beams sticking up. In the distance is a white light house which is clearly visible. The sea is far out. The night sky is lit up in green and pink, with lots of stars, as the northern lights are clearly visible.BBC Weather Watchers/Paul Appleby

Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

A bright purple sky lighting up an empty field, with two large trees in the foreground and a wooded area in the distance. Stars fill the sky which is darker purple at the top to lighter at the bottom.BBC Weather Watchers/KeeponRunning

Somerton, Norfolk

The Northern Lights were visible this week because of a strong solar storm.

A solar storm is caused by activity on the Sun's surface, and they produce clouds of electrically charged particles.

If these particles reach the Earth's atmosphere they interact with gases.

This interaction can then make the vibrant blue, green, purple and red colours that we've seen across the sky this week.

A picture of the night sky across a big empty expanse. The sky is lit up bright green and pink in waves, showing the aurora, in front of a sparkling night sky filled with stars.BBC Weather Watchers/Saf37y

The Northern Lights were spotted clearly in Aberdeenshire

A white lighthouse is pictured to the right against a night sky that is brightly lit with pink light.Julie Smart

Hunstanton Lighthouse, Norfolk

People knew to be ready with their cameras because of space weather forecasters.

They highlighted the chance of seeing the lights after satellites picked up an eruption on the surface of the Sun.

This is known as a coronal mass ejection.

A bench sits in front of the sea in the dark. It is illuminated by a bright green and pink sky, which is dotted with dark clouds. The water reflects from the green lights.BBC Weather Watchers/Rossi

Nairn, Highlands

A pier stretching out across the water at night time on tall metal legs. The sky glows purple and pink, partially obscured by grey clouds dotted around.PA Media

Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

According to the British Geological Survey, there are bigger Northern Lights displays around the equinoxes, which is March-April and September-October.

Monday and Tuesday were the best nights to see this epic natural light show.

However people in northern Scotland and northern England should keep their eyes peeled.

Although they might not be as bright, there is a chance you could still spot the lights if the weather stays clear.

Have you seen the Northern Lights before? Let us know in the comments below.