Powerful geomagnetic storm sparks stunning northern lights across North America (photos)

News
By published

The storm hit earlier than predicted, surprising skywatchers with a delightful aurora show.

northern lights in the sky and reflecting in the water below. they appear as green and magenta ribbons of light stretching across the sky.
The storm hit earlier than predicted, surprising skywatchers with a delightful aurora show. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)

A surprise strong (G3) geomagnetic storm lit up skies across the Northern Hemisphere overnight (Nov. 5-6), treating skywatchers to dazzling auroras from Canada to the northern United States. Geomagnetic conditions have remained unsettled through Nov. 8, meaning aurora activity could continue as additional solar material sweeps past Earth.

Photographers across North America were treated to stunning displays of green, pink, and purple auroras rippling across the sky. We've rounded up some of the best views here.

Ethan Mok posted this impressive photo of his brother on X. What a hole-in-one!

"I think I just took the hardest golf picture possible of my brother," Mok wrote in a post on X.

Photographer Eric Bleicher captured a beautiful timelapse of the northern lights dancing alongside the full moon on Nov. 5.

Meanwhile, solar astrophysicist and Space.com contributor Ryan French enjoyed front row seats to the northern lights show while on a flight from Denver to Chicago.

Aurora chaser Landon Moeller spotted the aurora show in the skies above DeKalb, Illinois.

The northern lights were so bright and dynamic they could be captured in good detail in this video from aurora chaser Jeremy Rand.

Jason O'Young got a glimpse of the aurora show from Ontario, Canada, despite the full moon and clouds threatening to ruin the party.

"Northern lights visible in Southern Ontario despite the moonlight. This would be ridiculous with no moon out," O'Young posted on X.

Senior meteorologist Chris Stammers snapped this lovely aurora display above Winnipeg, Canada.

Editor's Note: If you snap a photo of the northern lights or southern lights over the weekend and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Daisy Dobrijevic
Daisy Dobrijevic
Skywatching Editor

Daisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022, having previously worked as a staff writer for All About Space magazine. She completed an editorial internship with BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre, communicating space science to the public.

Daisy holds a PhD in plant physiology and a Master's in Environmental Science. Based in Nottingham, U.K., she covers all things space, with a special focus on solar activity and space weather. She also has a keen interest in astrotourism and is always on the lookout for the next northern lights adventure.

She will be a guest speaker aboard HX's Solar Eclipse Expedition in August 2026 and will join Hurtigruten as an onboard astronomer for a northern lights sailing in January 2027.