Aurora borealis
Latest about Aurora borealis
![northern lights appear as dancing ribbons of green in the sky above a snowy mountain top.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oSbdgWMsQqzQX2MEEUP8hd-320-80.jpg)
Where and when to see the northern lights in 2024
By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Find out where and when to see the northern lights (aurora borealis) throughout Europe and North America in our helpful guide.
![northern lights appear as ribbons of green and purple light streaking across the sky and reflected in the water below. There are some mountains to the left side of the image.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k6okX2VVUg4qWoyxuNLsf7-320-80.jpg)
Northern lights (aurora borealis): what they are and how to see them
By Stefanie Waldek, Daisy Dobrijevic last updated
Reference Discover everything there is to know about the northern lights, including how they form, where they can be seen and what causes their colors.
![a person stands in the center of the image and looks up to a green band of light in the sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sp2p5yaKoYjs8yC9Gb3YvF-320-80.jpg)
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.
![a wispy purple ribbon stretches across the night sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mbfMQ4MFaM2UYEf6rgTYHh-320-80.jpg)
Aurora-like STEVE phenomenon 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.
![green and red auroras shine over a lit-up house at night](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VVzbeeQVyLLodd9wG9LFqR-320-80.jpg)
We may have just witnessed some of the strongest auroras in 500 years
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The auroral displays that wowed observers around the world two weekends ago may have been among the strongest such light shows since record-keeping began.
![photo of the northern lights, showing light green and purple lights in a dark night sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JTMn5HmcwBJtbgw9t9Tuj8-320-80.jpg)
How a giant sunspot unleashed solar storms that spawned global auroras that just dazzled us all
By Meredith Garofalo published
Intense solar activity generated the most extreme geomagnetic storm since 2003 on Friday (May 10), and the action could continue into this week. Here's how it happened.
![The silohettes of two people on a dazzling purple and green sky filled with auroras](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yEfPhWnHaXY9LaE5kZxv6P-320-80.jpg)
'Extreme' solar storms cook up sweet Mother's Day auroras for Moms everywhere
By Meredith Garofalo last updated
Want to save all the calories from Mother's Day brunch? You can still "sweeten" her holiday with an opportunity to see the northern lights again tonight!
![pink and purple northern lights over a tent that's lit from within in a campground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yP4wB5z7ndniNpiMBmtWh9-320-80.jpg)
Jaw-dropping northern lights from massive solar flares amaze skywatchers around the world. 'We have a very rare event on our hands.' (photos)
By Tariq Malik, Daisy Dobrijevic published
An aurora show like no other is playing out in the night sky this weekend, spawned by intense solar storms that are painting the sky spectacular hues of pinks, purples and greens.
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