The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) made a rare appearance in the skies of Co Clare last night while the entire country appears to have enjoy the colourful lightshow.
Social media platforms lit up during the night as people posted hundreds of photographs of the siting from across the county. The lights were spotted all the way from Lough Derg to the Cliffs of Moher and in many inland areas where skies were clear.
While not entirely unusual to see the pink and green hue in Clare, last night’s display was unprecedented and was witnessed across the country.
Astronomy Ireland founder David Moore had said we could have a “big aurora, and a clear sky” once clouds don’t roll in, and he says, “it’s going to be incredible.”
US authorities had issued the first Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch alert in almost 20 years stating that mass particles from the sun could cause disruption to electricity and communication facilities.
The US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAO) said at least five earth-directed coronal mass ejections are on their way. They emanate from a sunspot cluster which is 16 times the size of the Earth.
Award-winning Ennis-based photographer John Kelly captured the spectacle last night.
Find out more about the Northern Lights.
