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10 photos of the Northern Lights dazzling in the night sky across the US and Europe caused by massive geomagnetic storm
Cameron Manley
BUSINESS INSIDER
![](http://stateofthenation.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/65fb081e4af076d3cf91fec9.webp)
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https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-northern-lights-dazzle-night-sky-across-the-us-europe-2024-5
Glimpses Of Northern Lights After Strongest Solar Storm In 2 Decades
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, were seen in most parts of Europe.
World NewsEdited by NDTV News Des
The northern lights made a stunning appearance across the world on Friday after the most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth.
The colourful display, also known as the aurora borealis, was seen in most parts of Europe.
The northern lights also illuminated the night sky over some parts of the US, Canada, and Australia.
![](http://stateofthenation.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/grngrng_northern-lights_625x300_11_May_24.webp)
People stop along a country road near London, Ontario to watch the Northern lights
Photo Credit: AFP
Northern lights during a solar storm over the National Monument of Scotland in Edinburgh
Photo Credit: AFP
These spectacular celestial light shows were attributed to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm that struck Earth on Friday.
Northern lights seen over Ohio during a geomagnetic storm
Photo Credit: AFP
Authorities had also notified satellite operators, airlines and the power grid to take precautionary steps for potential disruptions caused by changes to Earth’s magnetic field.
A user posted a picture of herself and her cat watching the beautiful view.
“I can’t believe I now have a pic of me and my cat admiring the northern lights in my own garden???” she wrote.
A user from Tuscany, Italy, called it an “unbelievable moment.”
Another user, from the North West of France, posted a thread of images and said that this was the “most insane” thing she had ever seen in her life.
According to another post, the Northern Lights were visible across Russia, particularly in the Moscow region, as well as in Saratov and Voronezh, and extending into southern Siberia.
“Colour me stunned,” read a caption of someone who posted a video clip of the phenomenon.
Another observer said it was “rare to see pink in the northern lights” and claimed that those who saw this beautiful view were “very, very lucky.”
Someone else posted a couple pictures, writing, “I’m actually in tears I thought I’d never get to see the northern lights.”
A user from North Georgia joined in, sharing stunning pictures of the aurora borealis.
Post a commentThe northern lights are usually visible in regions located closer to the Earth’s magnetic poles like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Alaska.
See photos: Northern lights on full display across US, Europe on Friday
JJ Hensley
USA TODAY
Because the sun is at the height of its 11-year-cycle, conditions were optimal for the auroras to put on a light show that electrified sky watchers, and appeared to far more Americans than usual.
“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would see it from my front yard in Key Largo (Florida,) said Mike Theiss, a veteran extreme nature photographer and storm chaser. He’d been seeing the news about the solar storms all day Friday and was “a bit jealous” he would miss out on the auroras. But then he started seeing photos posted in real time on social media, in South Carolina, then Georgia and then the Bahamas.
Incredulous about that sighting, he figured he’d take a chance. “I walked out the front door and there were the lights. I could see a faint red glow with the naked eye,” Theiss told USA TODAY. “I was looking at the northern lights. I still can’t believe it.”
Here’s a look at some of the images captured around the U.S. and in Europe.
Northern lights:When could you see the northern lights? Aurora forecast for over a dozen states this weekend
![The Aurora borealis dances in the Tallahassee sky late Friday night, May 10, 2024. For best viewing shoot it on night mode with at least a three second exposure.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/PTAL/73651095007-img-7722.jpeg?width=980&height=735&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The Aurora borealis dances in the Tallahassee sky late Friday night, May 10, 2024. For best viewing shoot it on night mode with at least a three second exposure.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/PTAL/73651100007-img-7742.jpeg?width=980&height=735&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The northern lights, or aurora borealis, as seen in Oakland Township on Friday, May 10, 2024.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/PDTF/73650718007-microsoft-teamsimage-11.png?width=980&height=735&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The northern lights, or aurora borealis, as seen in Whitmore Lake, Michigan on May 10, 2024.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/PDTF/73651470007-microsoft-teamsimage-8.png?width=980&height=735&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The northern lights, or aurora borealis, as seen from Ypsilanti, Michigan on May 10, 2024.](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/USAT/73652086007-usatsi-23242385.jpg?width=980&height=654&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Geomagnetic Storm:Solar storm is powerful enough to disrupt communications: Why NOAA says not to worry
‘Just in awe’
Aurora borealis in Florida
Aurora borealis in Europe
![WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND - MAY 10: People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/USAT/73652265007-2152392440.jpg?width=980&height=654&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND - MAY 10: The aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, are visible over St Mary’s lighthouse near Whitley Bay on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/USAT/73652273007-2152392445.jpg?width=980&height=654&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND - MAY 10: People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/05/11/USAT/73652260007-2152392396.jpg?width=980&height=654&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY.