Stargazers could enjoy a further rare sight of the northern lights in Ireland tonight after one of the largest solar storms of the past 30 years continues.
A second violent eruption, or solar flare, occurred on the sun at 9 p.m. on Wednesday. While it wasn't as powerful as the one which caused breathtaking auroras to be witnessed on Earth on Thursday night, its effects will not go unnoticed, according to Mr David Moore of Astronomy Ireland.
"There could well be an eerie light in the sky for Hallowe'en as the early part of the new aurora and the end part of the previous one combine."
He noted auroras - normally only visible from countries close to the poles as the northern lights, or aurora borealis, would continue to be seen in Ireland next week.
A further treat for stargazers looms on the horizon in the form of a lunar eclipse which will be visible on the evening of November 8th. The phenomenon occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and moon and blocks the light from the moon.
Mr Moore said the timing of event and its duration meant it would be "the best eclipse for three years".
The important viewing times are 10.12 p.m. on November 8th when the moon begins to enter the shadow-like umbra, to 1.06 a.m. on the 9th when the total eclipse begins. By 4.21 a.m. the moon is due to finally clear the umbra.
Astronomy Ireland (www.astronomy.ie) has set up a number of eclipse watches from 10 p.m. onwards on November 8th. They include the Horseman, Boyle, Co Sligo; Chaffpool, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo; Killeshin Hall, Carlow; Ashwood Estate, Castlebar, Co Mayo; Nenagh Rugby Grounds, Co Tipperary; and the Papal Cross, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
