Although aurora borealis was likely not visible to the naked eye, some Times readers were able to capture the light show with long-exposure photos again during a geomagnetic storm Thursday night.
A geomagnetic storm is “A major disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field; often varying intensity between lower levels and severe storm conditions over the course of the entire event,” according to the National Weather Service.
It can have negative effects on technology.
“Infrastructure operators and authorities have been notified to take action to mitigate any possible impacts and situational awareness,” according to NWS. “Possible increased and more frequent voltage control problems – normally mitigable. Increased possibility of anomalies or effects to satellite operations. More frequent and longer periods of GPS degradation possible.”
But it can also make the northern lights visible from well south of where they can normally be seen.
Learn more at swpc.noaa.gov.
Here are photos readers sent in:
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