GETTING LIT
The Northern Lights Spread Across Much Of The US, Here's How Wild It Looked
While the northern lights (aurora borealis) are usually contained relatively close to the north pole, unusual solar activity can sometimes bring the phenomenon much further south than you'd expect.
This past weekend saw an enormous geomagnetic storm on the sun, and that brought the norther lights down across large stretches of North America and Eurasia. We weren't lucky enough to see it ourselves, but folks have been sharing some unbelievable photos on social media, so we decided to round up our absolute favorites for those of us who missed out on the fun.
Here's how it looked
It looks like a scene from a trip to Scandinavia or something. But nope, just a Friday night in Boulder county, Colorado.
— Michael Charnick (@charnick_wx) May 13, 2024
Rime-caked trees around 11,500’ bathed in soft pink light from the aurora. Totally surreal experience! #COwx #Auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/JicfizGLJR
Timelapse from Fri night when the #aurora "exploded" in southern #Georgia north of Bainbridge. An incredible sight and I still can't stop thinking about it. Who knows when we'll see a G5 level storm again but I will never forget this.#GAwx #AuroraBorealis #NorthernLights @spann pic.twitter.com/OGx61t1Wp9
— Wright Dobbs (@WrightDobbs) May 13, 2024
When I saw the auroral corona appearing overhead, I knew exactly where I wanted to run to capture it, to the base of the lighthouse so I could have it pointing right into it. #Maine #NorthernLights #Auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/7uqdfpp999
— Benjamin Williamson (@photographmaine) May 11, 2024
I finally was able to get the 'real' images from the camera to my computer after posting the photos of the back of my camera last night. What an amazing event! #Maine #Auroraborealis #NorthernLights pic.twitter.com/DjU30rqehB
— Benjamin Williamson (@photographmaine) May 11, 2024
From Seattle tonight #aurora #Auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/Hg5QS4fiEx
— Tim Durkan Photography (@timdurkan) May 11, 2024
Incredible to see the Aurora over NY last night. #Auroraborealis #auroreboreale #AuroraBoreal #NorthernLights
— Dan Martland (@DanTVusa) May 11, 2024
Catskills NY pic.twitter.com/bMyWffeJRn
Quite the show west of the Great Salt Lake! #aurora #geomagneticstorm #northenlights #auroraborealis #utah pic.twitter.com/hvkPWtXZJb
— Staci Wittwer (@StaciWittwer) May 11, 2024
Quick burst of the Northern Lights over the Chicago skyline! Something I never thought I would be seeing & saying. #SolarFlare #northernlights #auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/GRNIabeAdp
— Craig Shimala (@cshimala) May 11, 2024
Friday was so good that it's hard to pick my favorite shots but here are a few more. Not sure if this year will be able to top northern lights in the desert!#azwz #arizona #Auroraborealis #StormHour pic.twitter.com/MEfWlgrgse
— Kate Dibildox (@KDibildoxPhoto) May 12, 2024
On Friday night, in the middle of the Mojave Desert, I took one of my best photos ever.
— Brody Cowing (@Brody_wx) May 12, 2024
If you ever get the chance to see the Northern Lights…TAKE IT!!#Auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/EAinSJtAgt
[Image: Gerhard Lipold]