James Smith
Millions of Americans were able to see the magical glow of the Northern Lights on Friday night when a powerful geomagnetic storm arrived on Earth.
The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, were predicted to be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California. People have reported seeing the lights as far south as Florida and Oklahoma.
Some areas, like New York City, were affected by cloud cover and missed out on the spectacular spectacle, but the phenomenon is expected to last through the weekend and possibly into next week.
Photos of the Northern Lights
Photographers and videographers across the country captured images showing the northern lights streaking across the sky in shades of blue, green and even purple.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images
The Northern Lights could also be photographed from the air, with photos of the phenomenon from airplane windows circulating on social media.
Linda Blanco
Even in places where the northern lights could only be faintly seen with the naked eye, photographs captured stunning details.
Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images
Northern lights forecast for the rest of the weekend
If you missed the Northern Lights on Friday night, there are still some chances to see the phenomenon again. The geomagnetic storm is expected to last until the weekend.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center released a forecast map for Saturday night, suggesting the lights would be visible in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and more.
Space Weather Prediction Center
Although lights are more limited, don’t despair if your area isn’t lit up on the map. It’s possible to observe the Northern Lights from up to 620 miles away, according to the National Weather Service. And remember, a camera can help capture details that the naked eye might miss.
What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?
The National Weather Service office in St. Louis said people who want to see the northern lights should stay away from light pollution and cloud cover.
“Move away from the city lights to a dark rural setting and look north,” says the office said on social media on Friday morning.
Aurora Borealis around the world
The United States wasn’t the only place to see incredible light shows on Friday. In the United Kingdom, the phenomenon was observed in the south of London and in the south of England.
Images by Peter Byrne/PA via Getty Images
In some parts of Germany, at times the entire sky seemed lit up in pink.
Matthias Balk Alliance/picture via Getty Images
Other incredible images showed Austria’s skies lit up in blue, green and pink, with stunning photos capturing them over the country’s mountains.
JFK/APA/AFP via Getty Images
