The Northern Lights over Scotland

The Northern Lights have been creating spectaculars display across Scotland and the UK this week.

The aurora has been visible to the naked eye without the need for photo equipment – which is rare for southern areas. There have been sightings as far south as Dorset.

The phenomenon is caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.

This appears as bright, swirling curtains of lights in the night sky, in colours from green to pink and scarlet.

The best chance of seeing the aurora on Wednesday is in northern Scotland, although weather conditions are not ideal.

Here are some your photographs from around the country this week.

Have you seen the Northern Lights. You can submit your pictures to BBC Weather Watchers or to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk.

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