In a very rare display of nature, the aurora borealis, or aurora borealis, was spotted across North America on Tuesday, November 11, with the phenomenon expected to return in the coming nights. According to USA Today, the aurora flashed across the sky due to a geomagnetic storm. Notably, the aurora is produced when a solar flare occurs on the Sun, sending charged particles towards Earth, which then interact with our atmosphere.
Other states not originally predicted by NOAA, such as Texas, Colorado and Florida, also witnessed the light show.
“The aurora may not be directly overhead, but can be seen from up to 1,000 km away when the aurora is bright and conditions are right,” according to NOAA’s website.
As the phenomenon continues, the Space Weather Forecast Center warned on Wednesday, November 12, that the powerful solar event could disrupt power grids, disrupt communications and affect some GPS signals. It may also bring another dazzling display of colorful lights dancing across the northern horizon.
A forecast map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that the aurora could be visible in at least 21 states, with the spectacle expected to continue into the early hours of Wednesday, November 12. According to NOAA, the auroras are usually most visible an hour or two before midnight.
According to NOAA’s forecast, parts of about 18 states fall either partially or completely within the predicted “line of sight” for the Northern Lights on November 12. The line of sight marks the southernmost point from which the aurora can be seen along the northern horizon.
Here’s a look at some of the amazing photos captured from around the country
The dazzling views were also captured by people and shared on social media.
“We witnessed the Northern Lights for the first time,” the individual wrote when he posted the video. The clip captured the bright green aurora borealis in the night sky.
Here’s a full list of US states that could see the aurora borealis tonight. Based on the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aurora forecast map, the following 17 U.S. states appear completely or partially above the aurora sighting line:
According to Space.com, the auroras could reach much farther south than expected — potentially visible across much of the U.S. if conditions are right and skies are clear.
