All eyes were on the sky last night (Friday) as the Northern Lights arrived in Cornwall in full glory.

A severe solar storm warning was issued due what was described as a "huge geomagnetic storm" heading for earth - the first warning of its kind since 2005.

A knock-on effect of this was "supercharged" Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, making them visible to many parts of the country - including, in the event, the south west.

While the result was less than spectacular to the naked eye, when captured on camera the images revealed a brilliant spectrum of pinks, purples and greens.

Falmouth Packet: Justine Russell, St AgnesJustine Russell, St Agnes

Packet readers have been sending in their photos of the Northern Lights above Cornwall on Friday evening - and a huge number of towns and villages are represented.

Falmouth Packet: Kelly Trowt, Grampound RoadKelly Trowt, Grampound Road

There had originally been some doubt over whether the Duchy would get any look-in at the phenomenon, after the Met Office reported that it would largely only be seen in Scotland, Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales - although it acknowledged the aurora may be seen by people more in the south ‘with the right equipment’.

Falmouth Packet: Leah Dodd, CarnmenellisLeah Dodd, Carnmenellis

However, more hope was given by ITV weatherman Chris Page when he wrote on X that there were signs the Severe Geomagnetic Storm would be the strongest since 2005, meaning it was "likely all of the UK (cloud permitting) should be able to see the Aurora if you look north."

Falmouth Packet: Shane RouffignacShane Rouffignac

And so it proved, as people from Helston to Hayle, Falmouth to Frogpool, and Porthleven to Praze all pointed their camera phones north to capture some spectacular shots.

Falmouth Packet: Matthew Abbott, PenrynMatthew Abbott, Penryn

Will the Northern Lights be visible again tonight in the UK?

It is likely that the Northern Lights will be visible again on Saturday night but on a reduced scale.

Krista Hammond, the Met Office’s space weather manager, said: “Aurora visibility may persist through Saturday night, but as it stands this is likely to be less widespread than on Friday night with northern parts of the UK most likely to continue to have the best viewing potential.”

Falmouth Packet: Paula Edwards, Four LanesPaula Edwards, Four Lanes

Therefore, those in the south of England who saw the aurora on Friday may not be so lucky on Saturday.

However, given that this was the advice last night also and many were taken by surprise, it's still worth pointing your phone up at the sky just to check, if you're in Cornwall. 

You can read more about the likelihood of a second showing here: Will the Northern Lights be visible again tonight in the UK?

Falmouth Packet: Claire Fenwick, Carnon DownsClaire Fenwick, Carnon Downs


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You can see more of the colourful lights display below and in our photo gallery at the top of the page.

Falmouth Packet: Chris Elliott-CannonChris Elliott-Cannon

Falmouth Packet: Rea CrawfordRea Crawford

Falmouth Packet: Joanne Preedy, LizardJoanne Preedy, Lizard

Falmouth Packet: Silver Sands Holiday Park, near KennackSilver Sands Holiday Park, near Kennack

Falmouth Packet: Veriti Moss, RedruthVeriti Moss, Redruth

Falmouth Packet: Chris StrikeChris Strike

Falmouth Packet: Andrew McKnight, MylorAndrew McKnight, Mylor

Falmouth Packet: Claire Grimsey, Mawnan SmithClaire Grimsey, Mawnan Smith

Falmouth Packet: Roz OsborneRoz Osborne

Falmouth Packet: Alexis McDermottAlexis McDermott

Falmouth Packet: Jenny Calvert-Corp, GoldsithneyJenny Calvert-Corp, Goldsithney