northern lights
Latest about northern lights
Auroras may paint the northern US tonight as Earth reels from 'strong' G3 geomagnetic storm
By Brandon Specktor published
Vibrant auroras could be visible as far south as Oregon and Pennsylvania tonight as Earth reels from a "strong" G3-class geomagnetic storm. However, the nearly full Harvest Moon may complicate viewing opportunities.
A particularly active 'aurora season' could be just weeks away
By Jamie Carter published
September could be a prime time to see vibrant auroras, thanks to a quirk of Earth's tilt that leads to more intense geomagnetic activity around the equinox.
'Once-in-a-lifetime' photo: Perseid meteors, northern lights and rare glowing arc shine over 11th-century castle
By Daisy Dobrijevic published
An astonishing scene featuring Perseid meteors and colorful auroras played out overnight on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 above the U.K.'s 11th Century Corfe Castle.
New ISS images showcase auroras, moon and space station in glorious photos
By Elizabeth Howell published
The moon's glow meets a stunning aurora in a new astronaut image taken from space.
Auroras headed to the US again in aftermath of gargantuan 'X-class' solar flare
By Brandon Specktor published
Auroras may once again be visible in northern parts of the U.S. this weekend as Earth braces for impact from a powerful coronal mass ejection.
'Severe' G4 geomagnetic storm strikes Earth, making widespread auroras likely
By Brandon Specktor published
Earth was hit by a "severe" G4-class geomagnetic storm on Monday morning, increasing the chances of auroras in the northern U.S. tonight.
Rare 'polar rain' aurora seen from Earth for the first time
By Keith Cooper published
Seen for the first time from the ground, the polar rain aurora produced an eerie green glow captured on camera in Norway.
STEVE — the bizarre purple ribbon in the sky — has a 'secret twin' that appears only before dawn, study finds
By Stephanie Pappas published
An atmospheric phenomenon known as STEVE has a secret twin that appears before the break of dawn and flows in the opposite direction, new research finds.
Auroras could paint Earth's skies again in early June. Here are the key nights to watch for.
By Jamie Carter published
The monster sunspot responsible for May's vibrant auroras will be facing Earth again in a matter of days, and it still appears to be active. Here's when to be alert for the next display of northern lights on the nights close to June's new moon.
32 stunning photos of auroras seen from space
By Brandon Specktor published
Auroras (also called the northern and southern lights) are visible from the ground after powerful solar storms, but these natural light shows look even more majestic from above. Here are 32 spectacular photos of auroras taken from space.
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