LONDON -- Some lucky sky watchers from across the UK and Ireland are posting photos they captured last night during a truly dazzling display of the Northern Lights, otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis.
The spectacle is caused by charged solar particles interacting with the Earth's magnetic field and is usually only visible in the UK from the far north of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had forecast a strong geomagnetic storm -- meaning the conditions were perfect for a spectacular display.
Here are some of the most stunning photos captured by Aurora hunters in the UK and Ireland.
Awesome display of #aurora here in #Shetland tonight! pic.twitter.com/9BllXbJxWN— Brian Gray (@briangray111) March 6, 2016
Aurora near Dromore Co.Down. https://t.co/CGchohlgLK #Northernlights #Aurora Courtesy of @firebladeken #StormHour pic.twitter.com/nzxf7Fspn3— #StormHour (@StormHour) March 6, 2016
Northern lights over Carrick-a-Rede, Sheep Island, #Rathlin & Islay Scotland by Rathliner Tom O'Donnell last night. pic.twitter.com/JPuHqDSRcq— Margot McCuaig (@MargotMcCuaig) March 7, 2016
High chance to see the #aurora, under clear skies from the Midlands north. A photo from @ahamillphotos in N Ireland: pic.twitter.com/Nl7kpyyZg6— Met Office (@metoffice) March 6, 2016
Corona showing overhead #aurora pic.twitter.com/G7jlBfFL8o— Woody (@spottyscope) March 6, 2016
The Edinburgh plane out of @BelfastAirport tracks through the aurora on a long exposure. pic.twitter.com/o6OZfvBaBE— seamus kelters (@seamuskelters) March 6, 2016
#AuroraBorealis over #Inishowen #donegal @fortdunree @Aurora_ireland @barrabest @IrishTimes @wildatlanticway pic.twitter.com/VIyBGA7AlJ— Seamus McLaughlin (@seimimac) March 7, 2016
One more #aurora pic from Wick Bay tonight. Thanks for the tip-off, @CarolynCaddick ! pic.twitter.com/1dPMDd3xAW— Alan Hendry (@SPP_AHendry) March 6, 2016
Tonight's #Aurora from Loughgiel - 10 shot Pano. #Ireland@newslineweather @barrabest @WeatherCee @AP_Magazine pic.twitter.com/UTNPzEhIzu— Enda McAuley (@EJMPhotos1) March 7, 2016
@barrabest @WeatherCee @newslineweather @BBCWthrWatchers @BBCCountryfile murlough bay tonight pic.twitter.com/Fz9Sa75J18— steve martin (@LaganPhoto) March 7, 2016
Aurora over Slemish, County Antrim. @barrabest @WeatherCee @angie_weather @newslineweather pic.twitter.com/LulgNUiJD1— Luke Holmes (@lukeholmesphoto) March 7, 2016
#aurora of big pillars appeared on the north antrim coast tonight.@barrabest @newslineweather @bbcnewsline pic.twitter.com/hW6mDs54vd— Pete (@irishmanlost) March 7, 2016
Aurora at Downhill Demesne @NTDownhill @barrabest @WeatherCee @Aurora_ireland @Aurora_ireland @AstronomyIRL pic.twitter.com/MUY2JuEhfD— North Coast Snapper (@Northcoastsnap) March 6, 2016
Aurora tonight north coast @barrabest @WeatherCee @ILoveNorthCoast @TamithaSkov @Aurora_ireland pic.twitter.com/2xHhRFae4d— North Coast Snapper (@Northcoastsnap) March 6, 2016
. @Aurora_ireland paid a visit to #cork last night @irishexaminer @Corks96FM @CorksRedFM @OpinionLine96 #ballycotton pic.twitter.com/aXJ8lnaqjt— Rónán McLaughlin (@romclaughlin) March 7, 2016
Streams of colour :) https://t.co/tsPZtr0GrV @ChCarys @jonathenharty pic.twitter.com/rcDUNGyVwi— Tracey Snelus (@supersnez) March 6, 2016
Angel bay Aurora @dailypostwales @BBCWales @ITVWales @DerekTheWeather @SianWeather @VirtualAstro pic.twitter.com/tEXYFoclxG— lokkophoto (@L0KKO) March 6, 2016
They were visible to the east from me #forrethill #aurora #nefife @VirtualAstro @WindyWilson88 pic.twitter.com/b7A73iAdBK— Corinne Mills Photos (@corinne_mills) March 6, 2016
Stunning aurora over Toome Bridge tonight! https://t.co/19Wt2BjIl1 pic.twitter.com/Dmn4KqQQOm— Martin McKenna (@martinastro2005) March 6, 2016
@VirtualAstro When the red appeared! pic.twitter.com/881s3Vpios— Kaatie (@KaatieJane_) March 6, 2016
#AuroraBorealis Cranfield, Co Down @Aurora_ireland @barrabest @MeaneysWeather @aurorawatchuk @newslineweather pic.twitter.com/yjGDzJJrhK— Stephen Rooney (@ArtistRooney) March 6, 2016
Lovely #aurora over #scotland tonight!#auroraborealis #northernlights #nc500 https://t.co/rxQjxyRfYQ pic.twitter.com/UBPhCjsbbB— Mark Janes LRPS (@markjanesphotog) March 6, 2016
Welcome back party for Manannán Mac Lir @WeatherCee @ScenesOfUlster @ILoveNorthCoast @Aurora_ireland pic.twitter.com/sr32CUx2pF— North Coast Snapper (@Northcoastsnap) March 7, 2016
Absolutely fantastic time watching northern lights dance like I've never seen!#aurora @StormHour @VirtualAstro pic.twitter.com/RSIZUvN8dl— CC Photography (@ChrissCharless) March 6, 2016
@VirtualAstro Early start tomorrow. One last tweet before bedtime #aurora pic.twitter.com/VtJhNEKSFy— Woody (@spottyscope) March 6, 2016
Folks it's been an epic night, I hope you all enjoyed the lights and be safe those still out! Oiche Mhaith! pic.twitter.com/7y86tsZzZ5— Aurora alert Ireland (@Aurora_ireland) March 7, 2016