A unique opportunity on display in the skies

I hope you had a chance to see the Northern Lights last Thursday night! They are an uncommon sight in our state, although the last one was visible about a year ago. You might be thinking you were out that night and didn’t see anything, but it can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. A simple time-lapse on your cell phone for just a few seconds can reveal the vibrant colors that dance across the sky. But if you missed it, don’t worry—there will likely be more opportunities as the sun reaches its peak in the solar cycle next year.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this stunning display is caused by increased solar activity, which creates auroras at Earth’s poles. Known as the northern lights (aurora borealis) in the north and southern lights (aurora australis) in the south, these phenomena occur when energized particles from coronal mass ejections interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, producing those breathtaking multi-colored lights.