LATEST SKY EVENTS
Novemer 18th 2025
Lissan G4 Red Geomagnetic Storm - NEW REPORT
I had almost given up on seeing a good aurora this year due to cloud cover. Then on November 11th/12th 2025 two CMEs impacted the Earth's magnetosphere after midnight delivering a severe G4 geomagnetic storm which turned out to be the third strongest of the solar cycle. The sky suddenly cleared so I drove out and by chance found a location near Lissan outside Cookstown. The CME arrived with the Bz diving below -40, the result was a spectacular red aurora. The sky was on fire with reds and pinks punctuated by tall beams dancing aloft, the highlight was standing in the middle of a country road until 4am with crimson rays dancing over the dark outline of a group of trees which resulted in a wonderful photo opportunity. One page report with 20 images. - REPORT.
Comets C/2025 A6 Lemmon, C/2025 R2 SWAN & Fireball - NEW REPORT
October 2025 was the month for comets with several interesting visitors in our skies. However the highlight was C/2025 A6 Lemmon, a long period comet which became much brighter than expected. Original forecasts went for a mag+10 peak however the comet over performed reaching mag +3.5 becoming visible to the naked eye and perfectly placed in our evening skies after dark with the highlight during the moonless period. This report documents several nights battling cloud to see the comet. I ended up impressed, at its peak I observed a 10 degree naked eye tail pointing straight up into the star fields of Corona Borealis. Another highlight was capturing a fireball in the same image as the comet. One page report with 20 images. - REPORT.
Early Autumn Structured Storm Cell At Slemish - NEW REPORT
On September 4th 2025 we had a late season set-up with 500 CAPE on a Wly flow. E parts of NI looked best but my expectations were low due to the absence of strong shear. I met Colleen Webb while crisp updraughts began to develop rapidly which exhibited strong tilting and a vault which was entirely unexpected. We chased one particular cell to Slemish where we got treated to the best storm structure of the year with leaning updraughts, vented precip, a well formed dark base with striation lines with black scud tags swirling and rotating below. Then a dramatic lowering formed at close range rotating into what can only be described as a large wall cloud. The cell in essence took on transient supercell traits against all odds, this was followed by the sighting of an impressive white rope funnel cloud during the drive home. One page report with 25 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT.
Major Multicell Thunderstorm Event Co. Sligo - NEW REPORT
Just when I thought the 2025 season was over nature turned the tables with a major thunderstorm set-up over W Ireland. On July 13th big CAPE, strong wind shear, and deep moisture all converged ahead of a cold front resulting in the biggest outbreak of storms this year. My Wife and I decided to chase and turn the day into a road trip. We visited Mullaghmore, Benbulbin, then reached our target area at Rosse's Point in Co. Sligo. From there we watched an enormous highly sheared multicell storm come into view with solid updraughts and anvil sheared out over the sea producing lightning every second for residents below it, then capturing the storm with Black Rock Lighthouse followed night time lightning over Co. Antrim at 2am. This single day has made my entire storm season. One page report with 27 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT.
Major Gorse Fire At Corrick Road Near Lough Fea - NEW REPORT
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Just when I thought I wouldn't experience another wild fire on the scale of Ballygawley I was proven wrong on April 10th 2025 when I spotted pyrocumulus in the sky which correlated with online reports of a gorse fire in the vicinity of Lough Fea near Corrick Road. I drove up for a look not expecting anything major until I arrived at the scene and got the drone in the air for a better look. I was astonished to witness a massive fire in progress burning trees and bushes with multiple sources covering a very large horizontal extent. The scene was spectacular yet terrible in equal measure while almost 50 fire fighters tackled the blaze to bring it under control. This event was followed by another fire on Glenshane Pass for the next two nights when we made an attempt to film the fire at night with the drone. This marks four wild fires filmed within five days making this one of the most active fire seasons in years. One page report with 17 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT.
Major Wild Fire Near Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone - NEW REPORT
A major outbreak of wild fires has been making the news across N. Ireland with 250 fires within a week, most were deliberate. On April 8th 2025 I had intentions of shooting the sunset when suddenly reports arrived on social media of another major wild fire near Ballygawley. I took the chance and drove to the scene to document the event, the fire was massive and over one mile long and wider than any I had seen before with multiple sources. The wild fire was burning near wind turbines and was rapidly approaching a house forcing owners and their pets to evacuate while 45 fire crew with 29 appliances battled the blaze working all through the night with a fire that was as dramatic as it was dangerous in the light of the setting sun. One page report with 22 images and 1 video clip - REPORT.
N. Ireland Storm Chasing Image Reports - ARCHIVE
Astronomy is not the only subject I'm interested in, check out my N. Ireland Storm Chasing section and view the chase reports and images which detail not only storms but other phenomena such as a moonbows, noctilucent clouds, aurora displays and exciting nature related photo shoots.
Martin McKenna
