Bright flashes in the night sky, around 1984?

Question

I live in the west midlands, UK, I remember a couple of occasions around 1983-4 when the night sky would be frequently lit by bright flashes. The one night in particular I remember, It was not a thunderstorm, not raining, but every few minutes the sky would be lit, this went on for at least an hour I was out in it, I cant remember any noise but I was in a car (no radio on).
I'm of pretty rational mind and I can't think what this could of been. Theres no military test ranges around and it didn't seem to be lightning. Any one remember this?

Answer 1

I don't remember it but I suspect it was electric trains causing blue sparking on the rails. In London, if you live anywhere near an overground stretch of a tube line (as I do), then these flashes occur all the time.

Answer 2

particular, my husband and that i observed it too at 9:40 5 p.m. on Sunday January, 10, 2010. We have been in our front backyard and finding to the east on the residing house around the line from ours whilst unexpectedly the sky looked as though it may get rid of darkness from and then this vivid blue/white element falls from the sky. because it replaced into falling there replaced right into a path of light in the back of it. It replaced into very, very close, it looked like it replaced into in basic terms one highway in the back of us. It lasted some few seconds and then a flash which lasted yet another 2d after that's replaced into long previous. Nightly we are able to work out falling/taking photos stars, yet never something like this, despite it replaced into, replaced into enormously marvelous. on account that that night i've got been attempting to discover others who could have seen what we did to no avail, i've got even emailed the yank Meteorologica Society, yet have not heard lower back from them. i'm happy i got here upon your question and now be attentive to that we at the instant are not the only ones that observed this marvelous journey.

Answer 3

I cant say I remember it but a similar event happened a few years ago where I live. I asked someone what it could be....he said disco lights.

Answer 4

Or it could have been an upper atmosphere electrical storm.
Which can happen almost anywhere.

Answer 5

aurora borealis - usually seen in North Pole, but solar activity can cause it to occur further South.

Answer 6

1984? blimey, you took your time to ask this one!!

Good luck getting an answer.

Answer 7

stars

Answer 8

UFOs

Answer 9

is it the halley's comet?