Nature

"The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can be seen from the Isle of Man at anytime of the year but they are their best in March and April. 

The Northern Lights at the IOM Observatory in 2000

"They are nothing really to do with astronomy but they are seen as an astronomical feature.

"They look spectacular and they are really, really beautiful so forget the technical reasons for them and get out and enjoy them!

"They happen when the incoming solar radiation hits the earth’s upper atmosphere and excites atoms to a new energy state.  This is when they emit colours which is energy in the form of light.

The Northern Lights at the IOM Observatory in 2000

"That’s the boring scientific explanation for, what is, one of the most fantastic features of the night sky.

"It's like seeing a moving curtain of blues, greens, reds and yellows.

"They are of course best seen from the Northern latitudes like Norway, Alaska, Iceland and maybe Northern Scotland but from a good Northerly horizon they can sometimes be seen from the Isle of Man.

"The best place to see them is on the West coast of the Island, from Niarbyl right up to the Point of Ayre.  Here you have a fantastic view of the Northern horizon.

"If you wait a bit longer you may experience a good aurora storm where you can see the colours of light coming through. The different colours represent different elements.

The Northern Lights at the IOM Observatory in 2000

"We had a sky watch once at Niarbyl back in 2002 and out of blue came this incredible aurora display.  It was completely unexpected so you never know, we might get another one this year.

"They look like curtains waving in the wind and they are huge.  I’ve seen some great pictures of the Aurora Borealis but none of them do it justice.

"Seeing it is one of the most incredible sights in the world."