In a rare occurrence, the aurora borealis — also known as the northern lights — lit up the skies across many parts of the Northern Hemisphere Tuesday as a result of a major solar storm.
This is just crazy! #AuroraBorealis #Aurorawatch #NorthernLights
On Tuesday night, the severe geomagnetic storm was just one notch below the highest category for a solar storm, and the northern lights were seen much further from the poles than usual, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.
The beautiful lights generated by the storm were enjoyed by photographers across the northern U.S., Canada and Europe. Here are a few of the highlights:
Massachusetts
#Aurora sighting in MA! RT @MatthewCappucci @ericfisher Public beach in Bourne, MA. looking ENE towards Manomet Point
Minnesota
Northern Lights early Tuesday evening near Rochester, Minnesota. Photo: Marcella Chester. #Aurora #NorthernLights
Wisconsin
Aurora shot of my career tonight in New Auburn, Wi!! @spann @news8michelle @WEAUHoffman @reedtimmerTVN @LukeSampe
Another #aurora beauty tonight from the Cadott, WI area. courtesy Emmett Kyle. keep looking north!
Ontario, Canada
Aurora outside of Lucknow, Ontario
Stockholm, Sweden
Just a really cool shot of the #aurora over Stockholm, Sweden tonight via Peter Rosén
New York
#aurora #NorthernLights north shore of LI NY. Faint pillar just to the left of center. @LeeGoldbergABC7
Western New York -> MT @KWPhot0 My favorite #aurora shot from tonight. 43N just south of #ROC #NY
Ireland
@VirtualAstro @Tighnacoille @spottyscope Co. Galway too ..just ...
Iceland
WOW | Stunning pic of geomagnetic storm hitting Iceland. Epic night of Northern Lights ahead [H/T @ABC]
Michigan
#Aurora tonight via @tomkippen WJMN- Marquette, MI.
AWESOME! The view this Tuesday night from west Michigan. Photo: Christian VanAntwerpen. #Aurora #NorthernLights
New Hampshire
Festive! RT @ajgauthier @ericfisher St. Patty's Day aurora in NH @dartmouth #aurora #StPaddysDay
Vermont
The #AuroraBorealis is in full swing in Burke #VT
Finland
Another breathtaking photo of the #aurora in Ruka, Northern Finland by Timo Newton-Syms
Unreal view from #Finland, courtesy of @Jariy #AuroraBorealis #aurora #CME
This video explains the cause of the aurora borealis on our planet.
