The Northern Lights returned for another dazzling display over Ireland last night.
Stargazers in the north, who were already treated to spectacular views of the event in May and August this year, set up their cameras as streaks of purple and green were visible across the sky.
Oh what a night #aurora #northernlights #shotoniphone @irish_news @BelfastHills @NationalTrustNI pic.twitter.com/Bz73oRElPE
— Mal McCann (@MalMccann) October 10, 2024
The Met Office is predicting a strong chance of the aurora being visible again tonight as a ‘severe’ geomagnetic storm slams into earth.
The Met Office said: “A coronal mass ejection from the sun is earth bound and whilst there’s some uncertainty on its arrival time, sightings of the aurora are likely in northern areas.”
- Send us your photos of the Northern Lights - email digital.editorial@irishnews.com - and we will publish a selection
The lights are predicted to be strongest for stargazers between 10pm and 11pm on Friday.
Look north in the coming nights and you may spot the #NorthernLights 👀
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 10, 2024
A coronal mass ejection from the sun is earth bound and whilst there's some uncertainty on its arrival time, sightings of the #aurora are likely in northern areas with a slight chance in the south too pic.twitter.com/DPlXcPd1pM
The lights, also known as aurora borealis, are vibrant light displays that occur in the sky and are most active during the Equinox and Solstice in March, April, September and October.
You will, however, need to get away from our towns and cities to see the lights.
A spokesperson from the Met Office had this advice for those eager to catch a glimpse.
“Ideally, the lights will be best viewed away from any light pollution, in remote areas, facing the northern horizon - north facing coasts produce some of the best viewing locations, ”they said.
“The best conditions to view the lights are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds. Cloud cover ultimately blocks the view of the light,”
A largely dry and clear night is predicted increasing the chance of seeing the lights.
Temperatures are also expected to dip to below 4C overnight with people out to grab a sight of the lights advised to wrap up warm.
- Send us your photos of the Northern Lights - email digital.editorial@irishnews.com - and we will publish a selection
