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!
— SpectacularEdinburgh (@SpectacularEdin) November 25, 2023
Tom#aurora #auroraborealis #northernlights pic.twitter.com/JSzpKDxcn1
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.
— John Pow (@Johnpow1) November 25, 2023
Look closely you can… pic.twitter.com/wvKMMtktvq
On Facebook, The National asked people to share their images of the light show. Here are some of them:
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel