Northern Lights Dazzle Across Skies of Multiple U.S. States, Shocking Experts
(WHAT) An extraordinary display of the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, illuminated the night sky across a vast region of the United States on Monday evening. (WHO) The spectacle was witnessed by millions of residents and reported by agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service. (WHERE) The aurora was visible as far south as Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, with exceptional sightings reported in Nebraska, Colorado, and Oregon, alongside typical viewing areas in Alaska and the upper Midwest. (WHEN) The geomagnetic storm began at approximately 8:00 PM Eastern Time and persisted for several hours, peaking around midnight. (WHY) According to space weather forecasters at NOAA, the event was triggered by a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm resulting from a coronal mass ejection from the Sun, which intensified solar wind activity and drove the aurora to unusually low latitudes. (HOW) The storm caused charged particles to interact with Earth's magnetic field, producing vivid green, purple, and red lights that were visible to the naked eye. Experts warn that similar displays may occur over the next 48 hours as the storm continues to persist.