The aurora borealis was visible from most of the US last night.

Do n’t tell me I did n’t monish you ( becauseI dead did ) , but last dark , the northern luminosity gavemost of the USquite the celestial show .

That ’s right . Due to a " spartan geomagnetic violent storm " forecasted by the NOAA ’s Space Weather Prediction Center , the aurora was visible further in the south than common , shit it potential for many Americans to witness the phenomenon from their own backyards .

But before we get into it , let ’s explain the jargon behind it . How are the northerly luminance and geomagnetic storm related ? but put , the northern lights are an effect of such storm .

aurora borealis in the UK

Owen Humphreys/PA Images/Getty Images

Solar farting are born when the sun breathe magnanimous measure of energy through coronal flock ejections or solar flares , to name a few phenomena . The shockwave make by those twist can interact with the Earth ’s magnetized field , which is what we call a geomagnetic storm , and the aurora borealis is a pleasant aftermath of that storm .

A dedicated andofficial NOAA scale explainsthat the impregnable the storm , the higher our betting odds of witnessing the dawning further south than usual . That ’s what happen last nighttime : A severe ( G4 ) geomagnetic violent storm made it possible for low-pitched latitudes to see the colorful celestial event , and unusual location such as New York City and city in northern Italy report seeing it .

If you missed out because you were busybodied doing something else , there is no need to vex . Many amateurish and professional photographer out there took it upon themselves to written document last nighttime ’s gorgeous morning and then proceed to share their safe photos on social mass medium . Check out our favorite ace below , and let them enliven you out front of the next vainglorious geomagnetic storm .

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Ready to go stargazing?

Here are allthe proficient stargazing eventsthat you may get out and see this month or you could stay in andstream the northerly lightsfrom habitation . If you ’re just getting started , check out ourguide to astronomy for beginnersoreasy stargazing route trips from big US cities .