In an incredible moment, Mark Cooper spotted the Northern Lights over the Isle of Wight last night (Sunday).

He shared his amazing photo, taken in Freshwater, with the Isle of Wight County Press.

It was snapped at around 9.50pm after Mark was alerted by his Aurora Watch app.

On Sunday night, the Met Officee tweeted to say the phenomenon could become visible from England.

Isle of Wight County Press: Mark was alerted by a app - and it proved to be a winner!Mark was alerted by a app - and it proved to be a winner! (Image: Mark Cooper.)

Its weather experts said: "The Aurora Borealis may be visible as far south as central England, where skies remain clear."

Despite being notoriously elusive, and a a rare sight even from Scotland, let alone England, it appears they drifted even further south.

Eagle-eyed Mark, who runs Tollgate Cottages B and B on Wilmingham Lane, looked up to see the etheral purple and green in the sky.

Did you spot them?


If you saw the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) from the Isle of Wight, we would love to see your photos and share them.


Isle of Wight County Press: Mark's amazing photo of the Northern Lights over Freshwater, on Sunday, February 26.Mark's amazing photo of the Northern Lights over Freshwater, on Sunday, February 26. (Image: Mark Cooper.)

If you missed them yesterday (Sunday), there is great news.

The Met Office thinks they may appear again tonight (Monday).

What are the Northern Lights?

The aurora borealis, or aurora, are a natural electrical phenomenon characterised by the appearance of streams of red or green lights in the sky, especially near the northern or southern magnetic pole.

The effect is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the upper atmosphere.