PHOTOS: Exceptional solar storm sparks stunning auroras across Canada

Digital Writers
·4 min read

Onlookers across Canada, Europe, and much of the United States were treated to a stunning view Thursday evening and overnight as vibrant Aurora Borealis danced across the sky.

A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) took place on Tuesday and rapidly reached our planet’s geomagnetic field on Thursday, sparking the G4 geomagnetic storm. The CME, travelling at 1,200 to 1,300 kilometres per second, was exceptional in that it was two-and-a-half times faster than a typical CME.

Geomagnetic storms range from G1 (minor) to G5 (severe), and a storm of this magnitude gives those who may not typically get to see the Northern Lights a rare chance to take in the spectacular phenomena.

This event also rivals the solar event that happened earlier this year in May.

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Photos of the dazzling lights quickly flooded social media accounts, with pictures and videos captured as far south as Florida and Cuba.

The geomagnetic storm will continue into Friday night but will be significantly diminished. Those in Northern Canada may get an encore, but those farther south had the best viewing on Thursday.

See below for pictures and videos captured by some of Thursday night’s captivated onlookers across the country.

Thumbnail image taken by Connor O'Donovan/TWN.

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