The Northern Lights Dance Over Chicago
A Rare Solar Storm Illuminates the Night Sky
May 11, 2024 at 9:55 AM
A rare solar storm produced dazzling displays of color early Saturday, illuminating the night sky in much of the northern United States. The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, could be seen as far south as Chicago, where residents were treated to a rare celestial spectacle.
The solar storm was caused by a coronal mass ejection, or CME, from the sun. CMEs are massive clouds of charged particles that are ejected from the sun's atmosphere. When they interact with the Earth's magnetic field, they can create geomagnetic storms that can disrupt power grids and communications systems.
In this case, the CME did not cause any major disruptions, but it did produce some stunning auroral displays. The lights were visible for several hours, and they appeared in a variety of colors, including green, red, and purple. Some people even reported seeing the lights dancing and shimmering in the sky.
The Northern Lights are a relatively common sight in the Arctic Circle, but they are rarely seen this far south. The last time the Northern Lights were visible in Chicago was in 2015.
The solar storm is expected to continue for the next few days, so there is still a chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. If you are lucky enough to see them, be sure to enjoy the show.
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