This amazing picture of the aurora borealis was taken this week by a Moray resident.
Peter Sherman has had a keen interest in astronomy since he was at school, and has been taking the hobby more seriously for the past 10 years.
So seriously in fact that he recently even built himself his own observatory in the back garden of his house in Fochabers.
The 46-year-old explained: “I built one because I couldn’t afford to buy one of my own.
“I basically designed it all myself, right down to the materials that I used.
“It cost about £800, which I reckon is good value.”
His investment paid off on Sunday night when he witnessed a stunning display of the aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights.
The spectacle is caused by a collision of particles from the Earth’s atmosphere with those from the sun and this winter has brought a series of sightings across the north of Scotland.
Mr Sherman, who works as an MoT mechanic, said: “There has been a lot of activity around the sun for a while now, that’s set to continue because it is at a maximum peak of its 11-year solar cycle.
“The whole of this year should be a good time to see the Northern Lights. However, you really need a clear night to see them properly.”
Mr Sherman, who is the secretary of Sigma, Moray’s astronomy club, said residents were blessed with ideal conditions for stargazing.
“The skies this far north are perfect for watching the stars,” he said.
“I think I enjoy astronomy so much because I love trying to get my head around the incredible distances and timescales that are involved.
“When you think of the millions of years it takes for the light from some stars to reach here it puts everything else in perspective.”
Sigma meets the first Friday of every month in Birnie Village Hall.