Northern Lights

Thursday night, Mother Nature bestowed a rare sight on the skies of Virginia (and probably the entire DC area): the Northern Lights or aurora.

Northern Lights

social media usa And was posting pictures from various places around the world including Virginia.

Northern Lights

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center issued an alert for the ongoing G3 and G4 throughout the evening

Northern Lights

In a G4 Alert for Geomagnetic Storms issued after midnight, NOAA said, "Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California."

Northern Lights

I was able to photograph the aurora from my backyard in Central Virginia using my iPhone Pro Max 13 in "Night Sky Mode".

Northern Lights

It is possible that the aurora will be visible again on Friday night, but terrestrial weather and D.C. The more southern location of the region is not very promising for clear skies.

Northern Lights

This is the third time I've detected aurora over Virginia in 30 years - 2003, 2015, 2023.

Northern Lights Make Rare Sighting In DC Region In USA

The Sun is so active during this solar cycle that we may get lucky again.

Northern Lights

Night Sky" or "Low Light" settings if your camera offers them - the northern horizon.

Northern Lights

Space weather, like our own terrestrial weather, is caused by Earth's interaction with the Sun.

Northern Lights

which, fortunately for us, occurred on the far side of the sun relative to Earth’s position in the solar system.