Two coinciding space weather patterns have heightened the chance of Northern Lights sightings in the sky above the UK for the next few weeks, according to forecasters.
The Met Office said those in northern England, north Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland had an increased likelihood of seeing the phenomenon, known as aurora borealis, because of a burst of solar wind.
The natural wonder, usually caused by solar particles colliding in the atmosphere, could be seen overnight, with forecasters saying the "disturbance" was strong and the sky mainly clear in northern regions.
The improved chances of a sighting were down to the combined effect of a "coronal hole" near the Sun's equator, which had aligned with Earth and was sending high-speed solar winds to buffet the planet, and the time of year.
A Met Office spokesman said: "We are now in a period, lasting a few weeks, where these two factors are working together to increase the chances of geomagnetic disturbances, which in turn bring with them the aurora.
"The strength of the disturbance directly relates to how far south the aurora is visible, or how far north if you are in the southern hemisphere, and of course you need clear skies to see it.
"The season of the year has an influence. The science behind this is not fully understood, but the two equinoctial periods in spring and autumn tend to produce an increase in aurora compared with winter and summer."
Here is a round-up of the best pictures of the phenomenon:
Taken from the hills @ Howwood, Renfrewshire! #auroraborealis #northernlights #scotland @SeanBattySTV @VirtualAstro pic.twitter.com/4z1sRIlgiW
— Colin A. Sales (@ColinASales) October 7, 2015
Incredible #auroraborealis near Uplawmoor tonight #dancingqueen #gotlucky @VirtualAstro @aurorawatchuk @Aurora_Alerts pic.twitter.com/GzI0BZO8PT
— Am4r1e (@AM4r1e) October 7, 2015
Just a screens hot but AMAZING aurora in Scotland tonight. @VirtualAstro @TamithaSkov @bbcweather @BBCScotWeather pic.twitter.com/moiGJQkiMO
— Gary (@gbc123) October 7, 2015
@SeanBattySTV I just captured the Northern Lights in Inchinnan, Renfrew! Get me on the telly please :P pic.twitter.com/gEZFPuQEDC
— Jonny Campbell (@Jonwacker) October 7, 2015
Aurora over Glasgow - a slightly shaky hand-held view from my kitchen pic.twitter.com/kgsFqGFsiy
— Iain Hannah (@sciigh) October 7, 2015
@SeanBattySTV Loch Lomond a few hours ago pic.twitter.com/qi6cs4Ny7A
— Susan Dailey (@sdaileyphoto) October 7, 2015
The Northern Lights over the Spey Valley tonight! @SeanBattySTV pic.twitter.com/u7CXp53Bab
— John McCook (@JohnMcCook07) October 7, 2015
From Port Glasgow tonight @SeanBattySTV @VirtualAstro amazing display!! pic.twitter.com/q2fs8ZjlDP
— Louise Gault (@louisegault) October 7, 2015
Aurora over Staffin on Skye tonight!! @SeanBattySTV @VirtualAstro pic.twitter.com/ToGLgSbw6O
— Alexander Macaskill (@alexmacas) October 7, 2015
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