On Thursday night, millions on the East Coast were treated to a rare and breathtaking display of the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. This magnificent light show, displaying vibrant hues of pink and purple, was reportedly visible all along the East Coast, from Boston to New York, New Jersey to Maryland, and even as far south as Florida. It remained visible in the New York Metro area for several hours, even as late as 11 pm.
Powerful Geomagnetic Storm
The Northern Lights was caused by a big solar event called a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on October 8th. This event caused a geomagnetic storm, leading to highly elevated geomagnetic activity.
As a result, the aurora was visible over the US. However, the National Weather Service has issued a G4 (severe) storm watch and warned of potential disruptions to critical infrastructure such as GPS and electricity.
Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights for the First Time
Many people were seeing the Northern Lights for the first time. But some claimed they saw nothing, but the truth is they saw it but did not know they were seeing it.
Because, sometimes, it’s not obvious that you are actually seeing the Northern lights but look closely. The colors may not be as vibrant as you expect, but if you notice a hint of pink or purple in the sky, that’s the Northern Lights!
Use your phone camera to take a photo, and you will see the amazing light show. The Northern Lights are more spectacular in the photos than in real life.
As your eyes adjust to the dark, you’ll start to see more of the spectacular display. You can also capture the incredible light show by taking a video of the Northern Lights with your phone camera!
If you missed Thursday night’s light show, you might be able to catch it again on Friday, October 11!
Northern Lights- New York City Skyline
Below is a photo of the rare Northern Lights captured from Edgewater, New Jersey, overlooking the New York City skyline and George Washington Bridge across the Hudson River.
Northern Lights from New York (Westchester County)
Below are photos of the Northern Lights seen in Westchester County, New York, on October 10th.
Northern Lights from Connecticut
Here are some stunning photos of the Northern Lights that appeared in the sky on Thursday night, October 10, in Greenwich, CT.
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