Milky Way and Northern Lights on show at photo exhibition

Moonscapes, the Milky Way and the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are all featured in a dramatic photographic exhibition that opens today at the Linen Hall Library in Belfast.

The Images of Starlight exhibition features more than 60 photos that "capture the mystery, infinity and beauty of the universe", according to the producers, the Irish Astronomical Association, the Irish Astronomical Society and the Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies.

The exhibition features photographs by astronomers from across Ireland and the Irish winners of the International Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.

The exhibition includes what may be the largest and most detailed image of a constellation taken by an astrophotographer. Organisers believe the exhibition also demonstrates how technology developments allow astronomers now to take photos of better quality than those taken by the biggest and most advanced professional telescopes before the digital era.

Entrance to the exhibition is free and it runs from today until September 30th.