RECAP: Strongest Solar Storm in Over 20 Years Triggers Widespread Auroras

A powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by one of the strongest solar eruptions in more than 20 years lit up skies across large parts of Europe and North America on Monday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 20. The rare event allowed the northern lights to be seen far south of their usual range, including in parts of the United States, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, according to NOAA.

Iceland: Spectacular Auroras Light Up Night Sky

Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) struck Earth's magnetic field, sparking geomagnetic storm conditions and illuminating the night skies with vibrant auroras across parts of the US and Europe. This video shows a magnificent aurora borealis over the sky in Reykjavik on Saturday, January 4.

Northern Lights - Canada

Northern Lights - Canada

The northern lights (aurora borealis) make an appearance over a home near Cremona, Alta., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Auroras are the result of disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Northern Lights - Canada

Northern Lights - Canada

The northern lights (aurora borealis) make an appearance over a home near Cremona, Alta., Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Auroras are the result of disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Strong Geomagnetic Storm Hits Earth, Bringing Spectacular Northern Lights

The U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a strong geomagnetic storm alert on Thursday, September 12, as a powerful solar storm hit Earth. It brought a display of the northern lights, or aurora borealis, over a wide area around the world.

Strong Geomagnetic Storm Hits Earth, Bringing Spectacular Northern Lights 2

The U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a strong geomagnetic storm alert on Thursday, September 12, as a powerful solar storm hit Earth. It brought a display of the northern lights, or aurora borealis, over a wide area around the world.

NORWAY-SVALBARD-YELLOW RIVER STATION-RESEARCHER

NORWAY-SVALBARD-YELLOW RIVER STATION-RESEARCHER

(231128) -- SVALBARD, Nov. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Li Bin, a deputy researcher at the Polar Research Institute of China, takes photos of auroras near the Yellow River Station in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, Nov. 10, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Lone Chinese researcher's winter in the Arctic" (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

NORWAY-SVALBARD-YELLOW RIVER STATION-RESEARCHER

NORWAY-SVALBARD-YELLOW RIVER STATION-RESEARCHER

(231128) -- SVALBARD, Nov. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Li Bin, a deputy researcher at the Polar Research Institute of China, takes photos of auroras near the Yellow River Station in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, Nov. 13, 2023. TO GO WITH "Feature: Lone Chinese researcher's winter in the Arctic" (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

NORWAY-SVALBARD-YELLOW RIVER STATION-RESEARCHER

NORWAY-SVALBARD-YELLOW RIVER STATION-RESEARCHER

(231128) -- SVALBARD, Nov. 28, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Nov. 10, 2023 shows auroras in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway. TO GO WITH "Feature: Lone Chinese researcher's winter in the Arctic" (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)