Over the weekend, the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, were visible across various locations in the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of the United States. The lights resulted from a significant solar storm that prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue its first severe geomagnetic storm watch since 2005. The Northern Lights were particularly visible in northern and western regions, with fewer sightings in more urbanized and southern areas due to light pollution.
In California, observers in less light-polluted areas such as the Angeles National Forest captured spectacular views of the phenomenon. The lights were also vividly seen in Oregon and were noticeable as far south as the Mexican border. Skywatchers in other parts of the U.S. and in Europe also experienced this rare celestial event. NOAA had noted that the storm, marked by a Kp index of 8, indicating a strong geomagnetic disturbance, was one of the most intense since 2003.
An aurora occurs when charged particles from the sun strike atoms in Earth's atmosphere, causing bursts of light. NOAA continues to track solar activity, as further geomagnetic storms are expected, which could lead to additional sightings of the Northern Lights in various parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Depending on solar activity, these displays vary in intensity and can affect certain technological systems on Earth, such as GPS and power grids.