Sky-gazers were treated to a unique show of colour in the Netherlands on Sunday night, with the Northern lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, being visible in parts of the country.
People in Drenthe, Groningen, Gelderland, and Friesland, among others, caught a glimpse of the special aurora, reports the NOS.
The odds of seeing the northern lights this far south are rare. According to weather woman Harma Boer, this is extraordinary as “the best chance to see the northern lights is mainly at high latitudes, but sometimes you can also observe it in the Netherlands,” she stated to RTV Noord.
Aurora Borealis: how she comes to be
The Aurora Borealis is a natural and spectacular light display that causes streaks of colours to “dance” in the sky, often in shades of green and purple.
The phenomenon is caused by atoms and molecules in our atmosphere colliding with particles from the sun at extremely high speeds. The result? The Earth’s magnetic field redirects them to the North and South Pole, creating the wavy patterns of coloured light.
While usually the Northern Lights are best seen in high-altitude regions closer to the Arctic, such as Scandinavia, they can be seen with the naked eye for a few days each year in the Netherlands. 👀
The best conditions to view the lights are away from any light pollution when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds.
Taking it to Twitter
Those lucky enough to spot this magical sight in the Netherlands shared videos and photos on Twitter.
Noorderlicht bij het strand van Ballum op Ameland..🤩 foto @mauricehooikammer #ameland #poollicht #noorderlicht pic.twitter.com/SX75Bv5iEJ
— Joke Hooikammer-deGraaf (@HooikammerJoke) February 26, 2023
Nu met timelapse #noorderlicht pic.twitter.com/mSob9YHTSV
— Dick Tolsma (@tolsumadvies) February 26, 2023
Arnhem😃. #noorderlicht! #Nederland #poollicht #weerfoto @BuienRadarNL @helgavanleur @Noorderlichtja1 @weeronline @Weerplaza @NOS @RTLnieuws pic.twitter.com/WO1CHJLkVK
— Donald Burghardt (@fotograafdonald) February 27, 2023
🌌 Noorderlicht vanuit Zuid-Nederland: wát een verrassing! Gisteravond waren zelfs in Brabant (51,7º NB) de kleuren en ‘pilaren’ visueel zichtbaar. Deze foto kon ik om 22.37u maken bij Cuijk 👇 #poollicht@helgavanleur @NightLights_AM @StormHour @Weerplaza @ADnl @omroepbrabant pic.twitter.com/VXysfaVWsA
— Wouter van Bernebeek (@StormchaserNL) February 27, 2023
Did you spot the Northern Lights in the Netherlands last night? Tell us in the comments below!