Photographers on the Isle of Man have captured one of the most intense displays of the Northern Lights in recent times.
Nigel Fairclough lives near Cape Aire and as part of his hobby takes several photos of the Northern Lights throughout the year.
He took photos of the display on Monday and said: “I watched it dance above my head and it was so mesmerizing that I couldn’t keep taking pictures of it.”
Kirsty Pendlebury from Ronaldsway Met Office said the lack of clouds that night meant conditions were good for viewing the spectacle, especially in the north of the island.
Cape Aire, the northernmost tip of the Isle of Man, was dazzling under the lights last night [Nigel Fairclough]
Mr Fairclough said: “When you take pictures sometimes you miss the moment and you have to stand there and go ‘wow’ and that’s what I did last night.
“The colors change before your eyes, like a kaleidoscope, it’s amazing – that’s the only word to describe it.
“I just loved being under the stars and I couldn’t believe I was there alone.”
Photo of the Northern Lights over the island by Alan Kneen [Alan Kneen]
The display occurs during the peak period of solar activity in the sun’s 21-year cycle, known as solar maximum.
Pendlebury said the Northern Lights had been seen on the island many times before, but visibility over land depended on clear skies and expected strong solar activity.
“This is the case for more of the northern part of the island during the evening, before a weather front brings cloudy skies and heavy rain, limiting the possibility of viewing them.”
Cape Aire Lighthouse, or ‘Winky’ and Foggy Cape last night [Nigel Fairclough]
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