A green aurora is seen over the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan early on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Jake Rytlewski via Twitter)

At a Glance

Photos show the Northern Lights glowing green and purple over the U.S. Thursday night and early Friday. Scientists are still exploring why auroras are more common near the equinoxes.

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S​kies lit up green and purple over a large swath of the continental U.S. Thursday night into Friday morning as photographers headed out to capture the gorgeous Northern Lights.

M​ore than a half-dozen states were able to view the celestial event. National Weather Service offices in , , , , , , , and reported views of the aurora borealis overnight.

(​MORE: Will You Be Able To See The Northern Lights Again Tonight?)

A​ccording to Space.com, . Scientists aren't clear why geomagnetic storms, which cause auroras, are more frequent during these times, but the most common theory is that the Earth's slanted magnetic poles are in a good position to receive the charged particles associated with auroras.

C​lick through the slideshow above to see colorful photos of the glowing skies.

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