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The Picture Show : NPR

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4 weeks ago

October 12, 2024

The northern lights, often known as the aurora borealis, are seen within the sky throughout Whitby Harbour, Whitby, UK, on Oct. 10.

Alfie Cosgrove/Sipa USA/AP

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Alfie Cosgrove/Sipa USA/AP

On Thursday, the northern lights — often known as the aurora borealis — illuminated huge expanses of Europe and america.

The uncommon and fleeting look introduced many to a standstill, evoking a second of awe and surprise in seasoned aurora chasers and novice stargazers alike.

Stronger activity on the sun could bring more displays of the northern lights in 2024

Some saved their eyes peeled all night time on the night sky. Whereas others had been delightfully shocked by the sudden splashes of crimson, inexperienced and purple hues shimmering above them.

The dazzling show of coloration was the results of a strong photo voltaic storm that slammed into Earth. Individuals sometimes journey to Alaska, Iceland and different areas inside the Arctic Circle to witness the celestial phenomenon. However the geomagnetic storm triggered the aurora to mild up night time skies father out. It is the second time a extreme photo voltaic storm crashed into Earth this 12 months, the primary being in Might.

The sunshine present was anticipated to be seen as far south as Alabama and northern California, based on the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. However some reported seeing the aurora as far south as Texas, Arizona, in addition to in Australia.

And sky-watchers who missed the present might have one other likelihood to see the lights — specialists say they may come out once more through the weekend.

Northern lights are seen over the Baltic Sea close to Kiel, northern Germany, on Oct. 10.

Northern lights are seen over the Baltic Sea near Kiel, northern Germany, on Oct. 10.

Axel Heimken/AFP/Getty Pictures

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Axel Heimken/AFP/Getty Pictures

An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows red in the sky on Oct. 10 in East Derry, N.H.

An aurora borealis, often known as the northern lights, glows crimson within the sky on Oct. 10 in East Derry, N.H.

Charles Krupa/AP

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Charles Krupa/AP

The aurora borealis lights up the night sky over Pitstone Windmill in Buckinghamshire on Oct.10, in Pitstone, UK.

The aurora borealis lights up the night time sky over Pitstone Windmill in Buckinghamshire on Oct.10, in Pitstone, UK.

Jim Dyson/Getty Pictures

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Jim Dyson/Getty Pictures

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are seen on display in the skies over Dublin on Oct. 10.

The northern lights, often known as the aurora borealis, are seen on show within the skies over Dublin on Oct. 10.

Jonah Lawless/AP

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Jonah Lawless/AP

An aurora borealis makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Canada, on Oct. 10.

An aurora borealis makes an look over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gasoline from effectively heads close to Cremona, Alberta, Canada, on Oct. 10.

Jeff McIntosh/AP

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Jeff McIntosh/AP

The northern lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm, are seen from Shenandoah National Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on Oct. 10.

The northern lights, produced by a photo voltaic geomagnetic storm, are seen from Shenandoah Nationwide Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on Oct. 10.

Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Pictures

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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Pictures

Auroras are seen in Sugarloaf Key, Florida, in the early morning hours of Oct. 11.

Auroras are seen in Sugarloaf Key, Florida, within the early morning hours of Oct. 11.

Jen Golbeck/Sipa USA/AP

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Jen Golbeck/Sipa USA/AP

An aurora borealis is seen from the Pujalt astronomical observatory on Oct. 10 in Pujalt, Barcelona, Spain.

Lorena Sopêna/Europa Press/AP

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Lorena Sopêna/Europa Press/AP

The night sky in Wisconsin glows with the northern lights as a geomagnetic storm brings vibrant pink and green colors to a majority of the northern states, and beyond.

The night time sky in Wisconsin glows with the northern lights as a geomagnetic storm brings vibrant pink and inexperienced colours to a majority of the northern states, and past.

Ross Harried/NurPhoto/AP

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Ross Harried/NurPhoto/AP

Northern lights shine in the night sky above Trakai castle, about 18 miles from Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 10.

Northern lights shine within the night time sky above Trakai fortress, about 18 miles from Vilnius, Lithuania, on Oct. 10.

Yauhen Yerchak/Sipa USA/AP

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Yauhen Yerchak/Sipa USA/AP

Northern lights on display in the skies over Great Chart Church, Ashford, Kent, England, on Oct. 10.

Northern lights on show within the skies over Nice Chart Church, Ashford, Kent, England, on Oct. 10.

Gareth Fuller/AP

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Gareth Fuller/AP

Northern lights glow in the night sky above a road in eastern Brandenburg, Germany.

Northern lights glow within the night time sky above a street in jap Brandenburg, Germany.

Patrick Pleul/AP

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Patrick Pleul/AP

The aurora borealis is seen in an incredible display in the skies above the causeway leading to Holy Island in Northumberland, England, in the early hours or Friday morning.

The aurora borealis is seen in an unimaginable show within the skies above the causeway resulting in Holy Island in Northumberland, England, within the early hours or Friday morning.

Owen Humphreys/AP

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Owen Humphreys/AP

The Milky Way and northern lights are seen together as the aurora makes a rare appearance in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, southwest of Mammoth Lakes, California.

The Milky Method and northern lights are seen collectively because the aurora makes a uncommon look within the early morning hours of Oct. 8, southwest of Mammoth Lakes, California.

David McNew/Getty Pictures

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David McNew/Getty Pictures