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28th Sep 2020

Astronomy Ireland founder gives tips on best place in the country to see northern lights this week

Rory Cashin

Some parts of the country will have a better view of the northern lights than others.

When it comes to the northern lights, two things usually come to mind.

That infamous “steamed hams” bit with Skinner in The Simpsons, and the fact that we usually associate seeing them with countries much further north than Ireland, such as Greenland or Iceland.

However, while speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, the founder and editor of Astronomy Ireland David Moore, stated that early this week could be a great time for those in Ireland to check out the Aurora Borealis.

Moore said that “Although we’re predicting Tuesday night is the most likely time for the radiation from the sun to cause this Aurora, there was actually a strong display last night. It could be tonight as well and, in fact, over several nights, so don’t just wait until tomorrow tonight, just keep checking the sky.”

The best place in the country to spot the northern lights would be further north in the country (obviously), especially anywhere that might have a clear sight out over the Atlantic, as well as away from cities and towns were light pollution can affect the view.

He also stated that because we have a full moon this week, viewers should not expect the usual bright green patterns in the sky, but something closer to being grey or white in colour: “It might only be looking at a small glow on the northern horizon. Look for a glow in the north is the tip.”

READ MORE: A brand new observatory and dark sky park is opening in Tyrone very soon

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