The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, were seen in most parts of Europe

The northern lights made a stunning appearance across the world on Friday after the most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth. 

The colourful display, also known as the aurora borealis, was seen in most parts of Europe.

The northern lights also illuminated the night sky over some parts of the US, Canada, and Australia.

These spectacular celestial light shows were attributed to an "extreme" geomagnetic storm that struck Earth on Friday.

 Authorities had also notified satellite operators, airlines and the power grid to take precautionary steps for potential disruptions caused by changes to Earth's magnetic field.

Social media was also lit up with many users posting their pictures of auroras.

A user posted a picture of herself and her cat watching the beautiful view. I can't believe I now have a pic of me and my cat admiring the northern lights in my own garden???” she wrote.

A user from Tuscany, Italy, called it an “unbelievable moment

Another user, from the North West of France, posted a thread of images and said that this was the "most insane" thing she had ever seen in her life.

 The northern lights are usually visible in regions located closer to the Earth's magnetic poles like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Alaska.