9 October 2012 Last updated at 15:33

Aurora Borealis: Your pictures

Dunluce Castle lit by the northern lights in County Antrim late last night. Photo: Martina Gardiner

The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, gave a dazzling display over the UK last night. Many people were out watching the colourful lights, here is a selection of your pictures. Dunluce Castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland provides the foreground for the lights taken in this picture by Martina Gardiner.

Ballintoy Harbour, County Antrim, Northern Ireland early this morning. Photo: Martina Gardiner

Martina also took this photo of the Aurora Borealis over Ballintoy Harbour, County Antrim, Northern Ireland early this morning.

Pete Irvine is from Ballintoy in Northern Ireland where he took this picture of the harbour. He says that the white lights are from star trails.

The bright lights are produced by a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields from the sun known as a coronal mass ejection. The lights pictured here are over South Erradale, Gairloch, Scotland. Photo: Mark Appleton.

Lights over South Erradale, Gairloch. Photo: Mark Appleton

When the waves of light are predominantly red, it indicates a high level of "oxygen excitation" compared to low levels in the green layers. South Erradale, Gairloch, Scotland. Photo: Mark Appleton.

Lights over Loch Lomond. Photo: Ewan Richardson

Ewan Richardson took this picture at Loch Lomond, Scotland. He said: "I have always wanted to see them, and it's even better to see them at home!"

Lights over Hove in East Sussex, England. Photo: Lizzie Duffell

The lights could be seen as far south as Hove in East Sussex, England. Lizzie Duffell took this picture, she says "it was very strange to see it here! But amazing just the same"

Lights over the Chapel Of Garioch, Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Photo: Graeme Whipps

Graeme Whipps took this picture at the Chapel Of Garioch, Aberdeenshirehe in Scotland. He says that the blue hue is caused by nitrogen atoms in the upper portion of the display being excited by direct sunlight.

The Aurora Borealis over Greabhal and Loch Steisebhat near Leverburgh, Isle of Harris. Photo: Aonghas Van Sant

The Aurora Borealis over Greabhal and Loch Steisebhat near Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, Scotland. Photographer, Aonghas Van Sant said: "It was pretty spectacular, not the first time I've seen them, but still amazing."

Aurora borealis over Strathkinness, Scotland. Photo: David Woodford

David Woodford took this picture over Strathkinness, Scotland. Beyond the city you can see the green streaks of the Northern Lights. Send your photos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. For conditions visit bbc.co.uk/terms.

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Aurora Borealis: Your pictures

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