Stunning lights over Saltburn
SKY watchers in Teesside have been treated to a rare and spectacular Northern Lights display.
The stunning Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights were visible across our corner of the world last Sunday evening.
A solar flare erupting from the sun causes the natural phenomenon as charged particles are sent towards the Earth and interact with our atmosphere.
Chris Whiles, who took up photography two years ago, headed to Saltburn beach in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
Between 9pm and 1am, the 32-year-old photographed the stunning lightshow which came to life through the camera lens.
“It was cloudy over the horizon but I headed down to Saltburn from where I live in Redcar,” said Chris.
“I could just about see the shading through the naked eye – a small glowing greyish light on the horizon. But through the camera lens it was so much more obvious and they really came to life.
“I caught a few of the shots between around 9.30am and 10pm, but I was out until around 1am.”
Pictures of the Northern Lights have been captured across the North East and the rest of the UK on Tuesday night. Last month, the region was lucky to experience the phenomenon two nights in a row. Oxygen gives off green light when it is hit 60 miles above the Earth, whilst at 100-200 miles rare, all-red auroras are produced. Nitrogen causes the sky to glow blue or purple.
“I’ve always been interested in photography,” said Chris.
“During lockdown I bought a second-hand camera and its gone from there really. I’ve taught myself through YouTube tutorials. I have seen the Northern Lights before but never to the extent of last night.”
Chris shares his photographs on Instagram at @chriswhiles. photo.