THE Northern Lights “could be visible” in Irish skies tonight as clear conditions are set to give a glimpse at the phenomenon.
And there’s set to be another celestial event in the mix by the end of week.
Another celestial event is set to be visible next week[/caption]
The Northern Lights are expected to be visible in Irish skies tonight[/caption]
The country is in for a potentially spectacular light display thanks to the sun being in its most active phase.
In October, a rare showing of the aurora lit up the Irish skies as far south as Cork and Kerry.
And experts are now predicting that another beautiful light display could happen tonight with favourable conditions.
This is part of the sun’s 11-year cycle of solar activity, with bursts of high energy known as solar maximum.
During these bursts, the sun releases charged particles that race through space at nearly one million miles per hour.
When these particles reach Earth, they interact with the atmosphere’s oxygen and nitrogen atoms which create those stunning light displays.
Oxygen typically produces greenish-yellow or red light, while nitrogen tends to give off a blue glow.
Some of the aurora’s ultraviolet light is even invisible to the human eye but can be picked up by special satellite cameras.
However, weather will play a key role and cloud cover could block the view in some areas.
Those in the north of Ireland have the best chance of seeing the lights tonight and Tuesday.
And the best time to see the Northern Lights will be between 4am and 6:50am.
What’s more, there’s another celestial event to look forward to as the lunar eclipse known as the Blood Moon is set to take place early on Friday.
As Earth casts its shadow on the moon, it will turn a deep red, creating a fantastic sight for viewers.
The total eclipse will reach its peak by 6:30am, so stargazers should be sure to catch it before dawn.
BEST WAY TO SPOT LIGHTS
Stargazers should seek out rural locations, coastal spots, or elevated viewpoints across the country to get a darker sky.
Clear skies are also essential for viewing and fortunately, Met Éireann is predicting mostly clear weather for tonight.
Cloud cover could build as the night progresses, so early evening could be the best time for viewing.
Staying informed is key, so it’s a good idea to follow aurora forecasts from the Irish Astronomical Association or Met Éireann.
It’s also important to be patient, as sightings aren’t guaranteed even when conditions are favourable, and consider planning multiple viewing attempts.
If you want to capture the aurora on camera, bring a device with manual settings so you can adjust for the low-light conditions.
WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis are caused by charged particles from the sun clashing with gases in the Earth‘s atmosphere.
Aurora refers to a natural light display, typically visible in high latitude regions such as the North and South poles.
But, areas closest to the aurora oval are the most likely places for a northern lights sighting.
However, there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, even after travelling all that way.
This adds to the Northern Lights’ rarity and makes them a highly sought after item on one’s bucket list.
The reason the lights become visible is when the solar wind, carrying the charged particles merges with the Earth’s magnetic field.
Greens and pinks and purple colourings then leak from the sky and display can last for hours.
Although it must be dark and the area must have little pollution.
