Northern Lights Offer Dazzling Display Across New England

A strong G3 geomagnetic storm created ideal conditions for viewing the northern lights across New England and parts of the northeastern United States on Sunday, Sept. 14.

According to a Boston Globe report, the storm was caused by solar wind emanating from a “large, trans-equatorial coronal hole,” which led to intensified geomagnetic activity and aurora displays, said Shawn Dahl, a meteorologist and the service coordinator at the Space Weather Prediction Center. An especially large spike in activity occurred around 10 p.m. Eastern, according to several aurora observers from New England.

The Northern Lights were visible in several areas in Cape Cod and New Hampshire, including Warren, Georges Mills, Colebrook, and other communities across New England. A FOX Weather report noted that one air traveler captured the northern lights during a flight from New York to San Francisco on Sunday evening.

The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, results from solar storms that create coronal mass ejections. These events send highly energized particles exploding from the sun's surface to Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, according to NewsCenter 5 Boston.

On nights when conditions in the atmosphere are ideal for producing the northern lights, the best viewing times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. For the best view, seek open areas away from city lights and look north, low on the horizon.

The slow-shutter speed on a camera can allow for a better view. The camera app on a cell phone can also pick up colors that aren't visible with your eyes only.

According to News 9 WMUR, if your camera shows the greens or pinks that are standard with the northern lights, take a quick photo. Next, put your phone away to let your eyes adjust to the darkness.