Last night, residents across the Tri-State area witnessed a rare display of the Northern Lights, caused by a strong solar storm. ABC7NY reported that vivid auroras were seen over parts of New Jersey and Long Island, with photos flooding social media. The colorful lights were also visible as far south as Kansas, Colorado, and Texas.
Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg told ABC7NY that the solar activity causing the Northern Lights peaked yesterday when Earth experienced strong geomagnetic storms. There may still be a chance to see the auroras again tonight, though with reduced brightness. In recent days, the sun has released several coronal mass ejections (CMEs); two have already reached Earth, and another is expected to arrive today, which could lead to additional auroral activity.
According to Spectrum News 1, the solar events have also caused disruptions in GPS communications and could affect the power grid. Shawn Dahl of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) noted in an update that while the auroras are visually striking, the storms can have measurable impacts on modern technology.
Experts explain that the Northern Lights are linked to the sun’s current peak in its 11-year activity cycle, which makes auroras more visible farther from the poles. The phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating the colorful lights seen across regions such as the U.S. and Europe. To view the display, experts recommend finding a dark area away from city lights, such as a local or national park. Cloud cover may limit visibility in parts of the West, Plains, and Northeast, while the Southeast could have clearer skies if the auroras appear again tonight.
Spectrum News 1 advises those hoping to photograph the auroras to use their smartphone’s night mode and a long exposure to capture the best images. Viewers may still have a chance to see the Northern Lights again before the geomagnetic storm subsides.
