How to take a picture of the Northern Lights in Ireland on your smartphone

Ireland has been treated to the mystical displays more frequently of late. This is because we are currently at the peak of a sun cycle that began in 2019. The aurora in May was the biggest in 500 years according to Nasa

Aurora Borealis at Blackrock Castle, Cork

It was 10.30pm, I was in bed and my phone beeped. An incoming text message: “Go look at the night sky, the lights are visible, don’t forget to make a wish”.

I went outside but couldn’t see anything. From photos of the Northern Lights, I had naively expected to be blinded by the sky pulsing with colour.