The aurora borealis, or “northern lights”, is a natural phenomenon that manifests itself as colored lights in the night sky, usually in regions close to the Earth’s magnetic poles. Although Ireland isn’t quite as close to the Arctic Circle as some of the world’s most famous countries, such as Norway, Iceland and Canada, it does offer the chance to observe the phenomenon from time to time, particularly in its northernmost regions. Want to admire some? Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t miss any of the action!
Northern lights in Ireland – Greg Clarke – cc
The Northern Lights, often seen as a gift from northern latitudes, can sometimes be seen in the skies over Ireland, particularly in its northern regions.
To see the Northern Lights in Ireland, it’s best to head for places with dark night skies and as little light pollution as possible. In general, northern regions are favored because of their proximity to the Arctic Circle, where auroras are more frequent.
Here are a few places in Ireland that are reputed to be birdwatching spots:
Northern lights in Ireland – © Cale
Of course, nothing can ever be guaranteed when it comes to the northern lights. It’s hard to say when and where they’ll happen.
Nevertheless, astronomy specialists all agree that there are some every year in Ireland!
Aurora viewing in Ireland requires a combination of favorable conditions: high solar activity and an absence of light pollution. Dedicated services, such as Aurora Alerts Ireland, track and report on these rare opportunities, guiding enthusiasts to the next celestial spectacle.
If you’d like to try your luck at watching the Northern Lights in Ireland, don’t miss this website: www.spaceweather.com. It signals each dawn and allows you to optimize your chances!
However, Ireland’s temperate climate, often prone to cloud cover, can present a challenge for aurora hunters. The best chances of spotting them are on clear, dark nights, mainly between October and March, when the nights get longer and the sky turns inky.
Northern lights in Ireland – © basiczto
The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, is an enchanting natural phenomenon caused by the interaction between charged particles emanating from the Sun and the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
The varied colors of the aurora depend on the different types of gas present in the atmosphere, as well as on altitude. For example, collisions with oxygen at high altitudes (over 200 kilometers) produce a reddish color, while collisions at lower altitudes (around 100 kilometers) produce a green color, the most common of auroral colors.
This light show can vary in intensity, shape and movement, depending on the intensity of the solar wind and the way the particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. Solar activity is cyclical, with a period of about 11 years, which also influences the frequency and intensity of the aurora.
