Solar storm prompts Northern Lights show in southern regions

Residents in parts of southern Siberia were treated to a spectacular, and rare, display of the Northern Lights. Brilliant flashes of colour lit up the night sky on Sunday in Omsk, thanks to a powerful magnetic sun storm.

Normally the mystical phenomenon – otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis – is seen by the most northerly parts of the world.

However the strong solar activity brought it to more southern latitudes, including Omsk.

Other places, including Utah in the United States and much of Europe, also experienced the beautiful sight at the same time. In Russia, residents in Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan and Chelyabinsk watched the colourful display too.

Social network sites were awash with photos from Omsk and enthusiastic comments included one from the user 'Amateur Astronomy' who said: 'Incredible!'

Vladimir Krupko, head of the Omsk planetarium, said this is the last year in a row of maximum solar activity. Such period usually lasts for three years, allowing the Northern Lights to be seen in southern latitudes.

After that there is an eight-year break before it is able to be viewed again in the south.

Previously Omsk residents spotted the Northern lights on March 18 this year.