PEOPLE across Scotland have shared stunning images of the Northern Lights after a special solar phenomenon meant they were particularly visible.
The Met Office said on Saturday that the aurora borealis could be visible “across parts of northern Scotland” after a coronal mass ejection (CME). As it turned out, the lights were visible as far south as Edinburgh.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, CMEs are “large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona”.
It goes on: “The fastest Earth-directed CMEs can reach our planet in as little as 15-18 hours. Slower CMEs can take several days to arrive.”
The more recent CME was a slower example, with the Met Office saying it had taken place on November 22, before arriving at Earth on November 25.
This was Fife at 19:00 hrs pic.twitter.com/kzvBU8B2NT
— EdwardD (@balhousie) November 25, 2023
Scots have shared spectacular images of the aurora borealis from across the country.
On Twitter/X, the SpectacularEdinburgh account shared a photo showing the lights visible above the capital’s skyline.
"Probably one of the better photos I've taken of Edinburgh – amazing skies over the castle tonight!" they wrote, directing people to a website where they could buy a copy.
Probably one of the better photos I've taken of #Edinburgh - amazing skies over the #Castle tonight! Tom#aurora #auroraborealis #northernlights pic.twitter.com/JSzpKDxcn1
— SpectacularEdinburgh (@SpectacularEdin) November 25, 2023
John Pow also shared an image he had taken, writing: “The last few times there has been an aurora alert I have been too lazy to go out. So when I saw all the alerts pinging at teatime tonight I decided to forego my usual Saturday night tipple and head out to the ‘Kissing Trees’ between Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy.
“Look closely you can see the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) in all its glory. Do you think it was worth the effort?”
The last few times there has been an #Aurora alert I have been too lazy to go out. So when I saw all the alerts pinging at teatime tonight I decided to forego my usual Saturday night tipple and head out to the "Kissing Trees" between Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy. Look closely you can… pic.twitter.com/wvKMMtktvq
— John Pow (@Johnpow1) November 25, 2023
On Facebook, The National asked people to share their images of the light show. Here are some of them:
