Across 2025, photographers, amateur astronomers and professional observatories recorded a series of remarkable events that lit up skies around the world. From bright meteors streaking over national parks to an unusual alignment of planets and dramatic auroral displays, a wide range of natural light shows drew attention and produced striking images and video.
This year's highlights included frequent meteor activity, several notable planetary sightings, vivid aurora displays in unexpected locations and other transient events that captured public imagination. Many of these were preserved on camera by members of the public and skywatching communities, providing both scientific value and striking visual records.
Meteor activity was among the most-photographed occurrences. In one widely shared clip, a bright meteor with a pronounced green trail was recorded above North York Moors National Park on 13 August. Such fireballs, when captured under clear skies, produce the dramatic streaks and colours that draw widespread attention from stargazers and photographers alike.
Observers also documented a compact display of visible planets that created a planetary parade across the night sky. Amateur and professional astronomers explained what was on view and helped the public identify the objects on display, producing sequences of images that showed planets in close apparent proximity.
Strong auroral activity gave rise to vivid Northern Lights visible across broader latitudes than usual at times during the year. In addition, observers reported and filmed less-common sky phenomena -- including an unusual spiral formation -- which prompted explanation from experts and generated discussion among skywatchers.
Storms and unsettled weather periodically disrupted opportunities for observation. Forecasters described some systems as bringing "unseasonably strong gusty" winds, which limited clear, dark-sky windows in parts of the UK and elsewhere. At the same time, clearer conditions in other regions allowed photographers to record exceptionally crisp views of transient events.
Much of the visual record from 2025 came from members of the public using consumer cameras and smartphones, often supplemented by commentary and analysis from amateur astronomy groups and professional sources. These combined efforts helped explain what had been seen and provided context for less familiar sights.
As we move beyond 2025, continued participation from the public and collaboration with professional observers will remain important. Clear-night observing, coordinated imaging, and sharing of data and images all help build a richer picture of the dynamic sky and make these natural spectacles accessible to more people.