Residents of the northern United States were treated to a stunning natural light show as the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, lit up the night sky on Sunday and Monday (USA Today). The lights were visible in 30 states, including Washington state and New Jersey, due to a large burst of energy from the sun (NBC Chicago). This is a rare event as the Northern Lights are not typically visible in many of these states.
The glowing, dancing waves of light also appeared in Missouri, Illinois, and southern Wisconsin, which allowed residents to witness the spectacle away from light pollution (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Meteorologists were tracking solar flare activity and predicted that New York State may experience a rare Northern Lights sighting on Sunday night into early Monday morning due to a solar flare sending energy towards Earth (SILive.com).
The auroras are caused by charged particles entering Earth’s atmosphere and reacting with gas particles to create the vibrant colors (USA Today). The Northern Lights are typically visible in regions surrounding the North Pole, including Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Russia (the New York Times). However, when conditions are right, they can also be seen farther south, as was the case this past weekend in the United States.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides forecasts of Northern Lights activity in the United States, with more auroras expected Friday night (USA Today). While the Northern Lights may not be a common occurrence in the United States, their beauty and wonder have captivated those lucky enough to witness them.
