Pictures: Northern Lights illuminate sky across Cork 

Stargazers across Cork were treated to a dazzling display last night with the Northern Lights illuminating the sky right across the county. 

While the aurora borealis is more commonly associated with the Arctic Circle, on Thursday night its presence was noted in many parts of Cork including Kinsale, Carrigaline, West Cork, Rathcormac, and Youghal.

Many reported seeing hues of red and green while others reported stunning pinks and purple lights in the sky.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One's Morning Ireland this morning, Frances McCarthy, Education Officer at Blackrock Castle Observatory said we are witnessing more displays of the northern lights because the sun is more active.

While we are not likely to see the display in Cork again this evening, she said that we can expect more displays towards the end of this year and the beginning of next year. 

The auroras on Earth, which are most commonly seen over high polar latitudes but can spread south, are chiefly influenced by geomagnetic storms which originate from activity on the Sun.

Northern lights over Gougane Barra #Auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/L2crkTmWOc

— Gougane Barra Hotel (@gouganebarra) October 10, 2024

The sun works on a cycle of around 11 years called the solar cycle – with peak sunspot activity on the surface of the Sun referred to as solar maximum.

Sunspots give the potential for Earth-directed releases of large bursts of energy, called coronal mass ejections, which can lead to aurora visibility.

Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

As they collide, light is emitted at various wavelengths, creating colourful displays in the sky.