Many Irish stargazers were treated to a stunning sight on Friday night as the Northern Lights painted the sky with vibrant colors across much of the country. The dazzling display, visible since around midnight, sparked excitement among onlookers, who eagerly shared their experiences on social media.
For those who missed out on Friday’s spectacle, there’s good news: Met Éireann has confirmed that the phenomenon is likely to make another appearance tonight. Meteorologist Siobhán Ryan advised that while clouds may obstruct the view in some areas, others may enjoy better visibility, particularly in the early evening and early night.
The Northern Lights, a rare occurrence in Ireland, occur primarily in the Arctic region but graced Irish skies due to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the G5 geomagnetic storm, the strongest level, hit Earth on Thursday, enhancing the visibility of the aurora.
The cause of the storm is a “large, complex” sunspot cluster, which is 17 times the diameter of Earth. The last storm of similar magnitude occurred in October 2003, causing power outages in Sweden. Remarkably, the lights could be seen as far south as Alabama and southern California in the US.
Friday night’s conditions were ideal for stargazers, with clear skies providing an unobstructed view of the spectacle. Astronomy Ireland founder David Moore expressed anticipation for another impressive display, provided clouds don’t interfere. He described the potential for tonight’s event as “incredible.”
So, if weather permits, keep your eyes on the sky tonight for a chance to witness this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon once again.
