Stargazers in parts of southern Canada were treated to rare views of the aurora borealis overnight.

Also known as the northern lights, the aurora borealis can be seen when charged particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere of the Earth.

Monday’s phenomenon was generated by three coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, from the sun which in turn created a strong magnetic storm, said the U.S. based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

The agency issued a further alert early Tuesday morning saying the storm had become stronger, making for better viewing of the lights across North America.

"Solar wind conditions remain highly favorable for continued Strong Geomagnetic storming, with both fast solar wind and strong magnetic fields," said the agency in a release.

The dancing lights were seen as far west as Porteau Cove, in British Columbia.

On the Prairies, many photos posted to social media came from Winnipeg.

The phenomenon was also spotted on Canada's East Coast, in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

American astronaut Scott Kelly got in on the action, snapping some photos from the International Space Station.

Another severe geomagnetic storm is expected to light up North America's skies on Wednesday night.