The northern hemisphere's celestial light show

The stunning beauty of one of nature's most spectacular events has been captured in this photo gallery. Every winter in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, the sky is illuminated by a dazzling, celestial light show. The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is caused when cosmic radiation hits electrically charged particles in the earth's atmosphere.

Northern Lights at Kola Peninsula, Russia. /VCG

Northern Lights at Lofoten Islands, Norway. /VCG

Northern Lights in Yukon, Canada. /VCG

Northern Lights at Thingvellir National Park, Iceland. /VCG

The moon and Northern Lights illuminating the ice of the most popular glacier lagoon in Iceland. /VCG

Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway. /VCG

(All images via VCG)

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