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Spectacular Memorial Day Weekend Aurora Seen By Many as Far South as Nebraska, Cape Cod
Spectacular Memorial Day Weekend Aurora Seen By Many as Far South as Nebraska, Cape Cod
Sep 23, 2024 6:22 AM

At a Glance

A spectacular aurora was visible by many in Canada and the northern U.S. Saturday night.Some witnessed it as far south as Nebraska, Cleveland, and Cape Cod.

A strong solar storm triggered a spectacular aurora over the Memorial Day weekend, visible over a sizable swath of the northern U.S., Canada, and higher latitudes of the Southern Hemipshere.

The storm, rated G3 on the , , setting up a dazzling display in the night sky as far south as parts of Nebraska and Cape Cod.

(MORE: )

This storm originated from a coronal mass ejection, essentially alarge eruption of charged particles and radiation from the sun's corona, on May 23. Once the energetic particles in the solar wind interact with air molecules in the earth's upper atmosphere, a brilliant light show ensues.

Here is a collection of photos posted on social media of this event.

The Pacific Northwest

Yes, it was even visible in the skies over the Seattle metro area.

The Rockies

Imagine Old Faithful with a backdrop of northern lights...

Photo credits: Michelle Olsen (left) and MaraReed (right) via NWS-Riverton, Wyoming

Alberta, Canada

Northern Plains

Some subtle lights were seen as far south as Omaha.

Even if you're not a fan of most selfies, you have to admit this one is pretty cool.

Great Lakes

"Believe-land" indeed...

Upstate New York, New England

The northern lights are just one of the many amazing sights the staff at the Mt. Washington Observatory witnesses.

Even residents and vacationers on Cape Cod were treated to a sight they don't often see, there.

The aurora could also be detected by the Suomi NPP satellite, seen as a bright ribbon across the northern extent of the image below.

And we'd be remiss if not including a spectacular photo of the aurora australis, the light show from the southern hemisphere.

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been an incurable weather geek since a tornado narrowly missed his childhood home in Wisconsin at age 7. Follow him onand.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: The June 23, 2015 Aurora (PHOTOS)

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