New Year’s Northern Lights: See Amazing Photos From UK And Around The World

As people around the globe celebrated with fireworks, in some areas, the New Year’s Northern Lights stole the show. Fueled by two coronal mass ejections (CMEs), these natural “sky fireworks” dazzled viewers as far south as California, Austria, and Germany.

Two CMEs Striking Earth

On 31 December, Earth’s magnetic field was struck by a CME at 11:21 a.m. EST (16:21 GMT), setting the stage for geomagnetic storm conditions. A second CME followed later that evening, intensifying the celestial activity.

According to NOAA, the resulting geomagnetic disturbances brought G1 storm conditions for much of New Year’s Eve, escalating to G2 levels by early 1 January. The second CME pushed the activity to reach G3 levels at 9:10 a.m. EST (1410 GMT) on New Year’s Day, creating a vivid aurora spectacle that continued into 2025.

This image, shared by @aurora_notifier on X early on 1 January, shows a globe dotted with green marks, each representing an observation of the Northern Lights.

New Year’s Northern Lights In Photos

Social media users shared stunning photos and videos of the aurora display. Here are some of the most spectacular.

Aurora Over Old Sarum

Martin Cook (@martinjamescook) captured a “faint but mesmerizing glow” of the aurora over Old Sarum, UK, on New Year’s Day 2025.

Northern Lights In Iceland

Grant James Thomas (@Grant_Some92) shared a stunning collage of New Year’s Northern Lights captured over Blönduós in Northern Iceland on New Year’s Eve 2024.

Merlin Artur Schönfeld (@merlinarturs) shared another breathtaking photo of the Northern Lights over Iceland, describing it as the second strongest aurora he has ever seen.

“This magical display felt like a gift from #nature, marking the perfect transition into #2025,” he wrote on X.

Northern Lights In Shrewsbury, UK

Chris Jones (@jonesy1007) shared a short timelapse video of the New Year’s aurora, captured from 5:40 PM to 6:00 PM on 1 January in his Shrewsbury garden.

News Year’s Northern Lights Over Wales, UK

“hikerholic” from Wales (@welshadventura) shared a beautiful view of the Northern lights, expressing excitement with the caption: “Happy New Year! I can’t believe it!!”

Sue Ridout (@Flyinglexidog) shared a captivating view of the northern lights over Anglesey, Wales, on New Year’s Day from 17:30 to 20:23.

Aurora Over England

Helen (@hla73) from England shared a moment of awe as she captured the beautiful northern lights lighting up the sky.

New Year’s Northern Lights In Ireland

ET (@edwinatreacy) shared a stunning shot of the northern lights in Galway, Ireland, with the photo credited to his 15-year-old daughter, Annaliese.

Lauren (@laurenmcl89) also shared a stunning New Year’s Northern Lights image from Ireland, Donegal.