The Day the Sun Turned Red over Britain
On an October afternoon in 2017, the sky over Britain turned a strange sepia yellow, the Sun became a dull red disc, and streetlights came on at midday.
What was reported
On 16 October 2017, people across England and Wales looked up to see the sky turn an eerie yellow-brown, as if lit by fire, while the Sun shone through as a pale red or orange disc that could be looked at directly. Streetlights came on in the middle of the day, and many people shared photos, some joking about the end of the world.
On the same day, the remains of Hurricane Ophelia were crossing Ireland.
Explanations offered
The storm's winds had pulled up dust from the Sahara and smoke from wildfires burning in Spain and Portugal and carried them over Britain. The particles scattered away the blue light of the sky and the Sun, leaving reds and yellows. The same thing happens, more mildly, at every sunset.
- When
- 16 October 2017
- Where
- London, England, UK
- Witnesses
- Millions of people across Britain
- Status
- Explained
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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