[submarinerswife]

The explosion sent an atmospheric shockwave twice around the world and turned night into day across Europe. Britain was lit for several days by a beautiful white and yellow sky, bright enough for midnight games of cricket and golf across the country.

This phenomenon is now thought to have been due to sunlight scattered by dust from the fireball's plume.

In a letter to a newspaper, one reader wrote: 'I myself was aroused from sleep at 1.15am, and so strong was the light at this hour, that I could read a book by it quite comfortably.

At 1.45am, the whole sky was a delicate salmon pink, and the birds began their morning song.'

It must have been an amazing sight.....far enough away from the impact zone, of course.

[null and void]

Even more amazing close up...