The northern lights dazzle night skies across U.S. and Europe

Juliana Kim | October 11, 2024

On Thursday, the northern lights — also known as the aurora borealis — illuminated vast expanses of Europe and the United States.

The rare and fleeting appearance brought many to a standstill, evoking a moment of awe and wonder in seasoned aurora chasers and novice stargazers alike.

Some kept their eyes peeled all night at the evening sky. While others were delightfully surprised by the sudden splashes of red, green and purple hues shimmering above them.

The dazzling display of color was the result of a powerful solar storm that slammed into Earth. People typically travel to Alaska, Iceland and other regions within the Arctic Circle to witness the celestial phenomenon. But the geomagnetic storm triggered the aurora to light up night skies father out. It’s the second time a severe solar storm crashed into Earth this year, the first being in May.

The light show was expected to be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. But some reported seeing the aurora as far south as Texas, Arizona, as well as in Australia.

And sky-watchers who missed the show may have another chance to see the lights — experts say they could pop out again during the weekend.

Northern lights are seen over the Baltic Sea close to Kiel, northern Germany, on Oct. 10.
Northern lights are seen over the Baltic Sea close to Kiel, northern Germany, on Oct. 10. (Axel Heimken | AFP/Getty Images)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows red in the sky on Oct. 10 in East Derry, N.H.
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows red in the sky on Oct. 10 in East Derry, N.H. (Charles Krupa | AP)
The aurora borealis lights up the night sky over Pitstone Windmill in Buckinghamshire on Oct.10, in Pitstone, UK.
The aurora borealis lights up the night sky over Pitstone Windmill in Buckinghamshire on Oct.10, in Pitstone, UK. (Jim Dyson | Getty Images)
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are seen on display in the skies over Dublin on Oct. 10.
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are seen on display in the skies over Dublin on Oct. 10. (Jonah Lawless | AP)
An aurora borealis makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Canada, on Oct. 10.
An aurora borealis makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Canada, on Oct. 10. (Jeff McIntosh | AP)
The northern lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm, are seen from Shenandoah National Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on Oct. 10.
The northern lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm, are seen from Shenandoah National Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on Oct. 10. (Saul Loeb | AFP/Getty Images)
Auroras are seen in Sugarloaf Key, Florida, in the early morning hours of Oct. 11.
Auroras are seen in Sugarloaf Key, Florida, in the early morning hours of Oct. 11. (Jen Golbeck | Sipa USA/AP)
An aurora borealis is seen from the Pujalt astronomical observatory on Oct. 10 in Pujalt, Barcelona, Spain.
An aurora borealis is seen from the Pujalt astronomical observatory on Oct. 10 in Pujalt, Barcelona, Spain. (Lorena Sopêna | Europa Press/AP)
The night sky in Wisconsin glows with the northern lights as a geomagnetic storm brings vibrant pink and green colors to a majority of the northern states, and beyond.
The night sky in Wisconsin glows with the northern lights as a geomagnetic storm brings vibrant pink and green colors to a majority of the northern states, and beyond. (Ross Harried | NurPhoto/AP)
Northern lights shine in the night sky above Trakai castle, about 18 miles from Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 10.
Northern lights shine in the night sky above Trakai castle, about 18 miles from Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 10. (Yauhen Yerchak | Sipa USA/AP)
Northern lights on display in the skies over Great Chart Church, Ashford, Kent, England, on Oct. 10.
Northern lights on display in the skies over Great Chart Church, Ashford, Kent, England, on Oct. 10. (Gareth Fuller | AP)
Northern lights glow in the night sky above a road in eastern Brandenburg, Germany.
Northern lights glow in the night sky above a road in eastern Brandenburg, Germany. (Patrick Pleul | AP)
The aurora borealis is seen in an incredible display in the skies above the causeway leading to Holy Island in Northumberland, England, in the early hours or Friday morning.
The aurora borealis is seen in an incredible display in the skies above the causeway leading to Holy Island in Northumberland, England, in the early hours or Friday morning. (Owen Humphreys | AP)
The Milky Way and northern lights are seen together as the aurora makes a rare appearance in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, southwest of Mammoth Lakes, California.
The Milky Way and northern lights are seen together as the aurora makes a rare appearance in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, southwest of Mammoth Lakes, California. (David McNew | Getty Images)
54% of support comes from members

 

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Japanese atomic bomb survivors

Nihon Hidankyo is a grassroots movement of people who survived the 1945 nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Nobel committee said the group helped demonstrate through witness testimony “that nuclear weapons must never be used again."

As Haiti’s gang violence surges, can Kenyan peacekeepers make a difference?

The latest uptick in violence comes several months after Kenyan peacekeeping troops arrived in the country to help restore order in Haiti.

Florida dog found tied to fence and abandoned before Milton is safe with rescue group

The pooch was left on the side of I-75, with a third of his body submerged in water, just hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall. A rescue organization said the dog was stressed but recovering.

Hurricane Milton devastated coastal St. Lucie County

Several tornados hit that area, causing multiple deaths and extensive damage to local infrastructure.

Trump is rallying in Aurora — a city he has demonized as overrun by migrant crime

Trump has repeatedly name-checked the Colorado on the campaign trail in recent weeks — likening the Denver suburb to a “war zone.” Local officials say his claims are overblown.

From Hurricane Milton to world hunger: How to make your donations count

The world is facing a devastating array of disasters. If you want to donate to a charity to make a difference, how can you make sure your dollars will do the most good?

More Front Page Coverage