Needham, Massachusetts – Residents of southern New England were treated to a rare display of the northern lights on Thursday night, thanks to a severe solar storm. Chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon described the event as the second time this year that the aurora borealis could be seen in the region. According to her explanation, solar flares release particles that travel through space, interacting with Earth’s atmosphere to create the stunning light displays.
The director of the McAuliffe Center Planetarium, Ross Barros-Smith, expressed excitement at the possibility of another surprise appearance of the northern lights on Friday night. Barros-Smith explained that different colors of the aurora appear at varying altitudes, with green hues typically occurring higher above the surface than pink hues. However, he noted that the exact viewing conditions could depend on various factors.
A recent coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun reached Earth on Thursday after peaking in intensity. Fitzgibbon mentioned that the geomagnetic storm triggering the spectacular display of the northern lights was severe but expected to weaken by the following night. Despite the decrease in activity, there was still a chance for skywatchers to catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring phenomenon.
Weather forecasts for Massachusetts indicated clear skies, providing favorable conditions for viewing the northern lights. Photos taken during Thursday night’s display showcased the vibrant colors that lit up the night sky. While a smaller geomagnetic storm earlier in the week had already caused northern lights visible over Ipswich Bay on Sunday night.
Past strong solar storms in May allowed for sightings of the northern lights across much of the United States, including Massachusetts and other parts of New England. The phenomenon of the aurora borealis continues to captivate observers with its beauty and rarity, offering opportunities for memorable experiences in the night sky.