Solar Storm Sparks Spectacular Aurora

Photo: Helgi Steinar Halldórsson See less

Last night and into the early hours, those lucky enough to go Northern Lights spotting were treated to an amazing show!

The Aurora Borealis put on a spectacular performance, glowing strong and red thanks to powerful solar activity. When the Sun releases bursts of charged particles during solar storms, they’re carried to Earth by the solar wind. Guided by our planet’s magnetic field, these particles collide with gases high in the atmosphere, creating the mesmerizing lights we see.

The deep red hues appear when high-energy particles excite oxygen atoms at altitudes above 200 km – and during strong auroras, these reds can be seen far from the poles, painting the night sky with an unforgettable display.