Northern Lights glow bright above Northern Ireland

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, Northern Lights in the Sperrins, Rachel Cassidy was pictured taking in the view at Rigged Hill in the Sperrins

At a glance

  • Weather watchers have been capturing the phenomenon known as the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, over Northern Ireland on Sunday night

  • The spectacular display is caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, in a similar way to how fluorescent light tubes and neon signs work

  • The Northern Lights are most active in March and September, according to the Met Office, during the Equinox. This is when the Earth is not tilted towards or away from the Sun

  • Read more: What are the Northern Lights? And how can you see them?

  • Published