'Northern Lights of the sea' spotted off UK beach in rare stunning display
Incredible images of bright luminescent colours on top of the UK coastline have been dubbed the "Northern Lights of the Sea".
Blue swirls and waves were spotted yesterday at Sheerness Beach on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, just a week after a stunning night time display was seen in the sky. The beautiful display was down to bioluminescent plankton which rarely makes an appearance in the UK.
The bright colours were pictured running across the top of the shorelines as people in the area chucked stones into the water to create a ripple effect. The rare feature is often called the "Northern Lights of the Ocean" because of the intense colours created by the plankton disturbing small creatures in the sea.
Bioluminescence is the production or emission of light by a living creature which can cause an incredible glow from the sea. The phenomenon is a result of a chemical reaction that occurs when chemical energy is converted to light energy. For this to happen the creature must carry a molecule called luciferin. When luciferin reacts with oxygen it creates light energy which we perceive as a glow.
One picture shows a stretch of dark blue sparkles parallel with the Kent night sky. Another shows a close-up of the lovely blue colour display circles in the water. A final photo captured just how long the luminous plankton stretched on for down the shoreline as it lit up the edge of the beach for the eyes of any lucky passers by, MailOnline reports.
The rare sighting comes as a result of luminescent plankton visiting the waters
It isn't common for the bioluminescent plankton to be seen in the UK as it usually gravitates towards much warmers climates - for example, it's commonly seen in the likes of Mexico or the Maldives. Sometimes it can be seen in the country and has also been spotted in nearby North Wales.
According to The Outdoor Swimming Society, spotting the rare display is much easier on a dark night, when viewers' eyes are not desensitised by brighter artificial sources of light that is found in urban areas. Bright moonlight can also dull the shine of the plankton, so cloudy nights are best for seeing bioluminescence in the sea.
The tiny sea creatures emit the light when oxygen reacts with the liciferin and liciferase within the organisms - creating the luminous ripples. The same effect takes place when people disrupt calm waters. By then splashing the water and creating motion, if there are plankton present they will begin to glow.
For those wondering if they are safe to get close to or not, it's good news as they are completely safe and can make for a unique experience for anyone who find themselves near warm waters in the evening. In Penmon Point, Wales, there are sometimes displays between April and November as the sea is warmer and attracts more plankton.