The sun’s outer layer, known as the corona, shone brighter during the recent eclipse. The moon appeared larger, and the darkness of totality lasted a bit longer, captivating millions of viewers across 13 states. Celestial events rarely command such widespread attention, yet during the eclipse, schools paused, work stopped, and people nationwide marveled at the sight. This awe-inspiring event, occurring only every few years, will become even rarer in the future, with the next visible eclipse in North America not expected until 2044.
Following the eclipse, the “devil comet” made its appearance, fascinating ground observers without the need for telescopes. Dubbed 12P/Pons-Brooks, this comet’s distinctive tail resembling horns led to its nickname. Astronomers predicted that it would be visible to the naked eye during its closest approach to the sun, a rare occurrence.
A spectacular lunar event took place on September 17, captivating skywatchers with the Harvest Moon, coinciding with a partial lunar eclipse. This year’s Harvest Moon, a large and bright supermoon, provided a stunning backdrop for the eclipse as the moon passed through Earth’s shadow.
Additionally, the aurora borealis, or northern lights, became more prevalent in the northern hemisphere in 2024 as the solar maximum approached. This natural light display, usually seen near the poles, expanded its reach, offering more opportunities for people to witness this enchanting phenomenon.
Located on the shores of Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene, Oregon, is the beautiful Fern Ridge Park. This stunning park offers a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. One of the park’s highlights is its proximity to the reservoir, providing visitors with the opportunity to engage in a variety of water-based activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming.
In May, nature treated spectators to a mesmerizing sight as a powerful geomagnetic storm swept through the skies, unleashing a breathtaking display of the northern lights in regions where such auroras are rarely seen. While the spectacle was awe-inspiring, the solar storm also had its drawbacks, causing disruptions to the power grid and interference with GPS signals, even affecting farming equipment. This particular storm event marked a significant occurrence, as it was the first geomagnetic storm classified as a G4 to be issued by NOAA in 19 years, just one level below the most severe solar storm designation.
In the midst of heightened solar activity, the sun emitted a massive burst of radiation, resulting in the largest solar flare detected since 2017, as reported by the NOAA. The northern lights made another notable appearance in August during the Perseids meteor shower, acclaimed by astronomers as one of the most spectacular celestial events of the year.
Amidst the enchanting backdrop of the Aurora Borealis, a donkey basked in the mesmerizing glow of the northern lights on a serene evening in Ontario, Canada on October 10. The captivating display of rays, spirals, and flickers of the northern lights once again captivated audiences across the northern United States and even as far south as Alabama in October. This dazzling phenomenon was further accentuated by a solar coronal mass ejection of plasma clouds and charged particles, propelling a geomagnetic storm towards Earth of such intensity that NOAA issued another rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch.
As the sun reaches the peak of its 11-year cycle, the surge in solar activity is expected to fuel more frequent occurrences of “space weather,” creating optimal conditions for the northern lights to illuminate the night skies. As a result, in the upcoming months, the renowned celestial display may grace skies near you, offering a spectacular visual treat to behold.
Eric Lagatta, a seasoned journalist covering breaking and trending news for USA TODAY, brings readers insightful coverage of these celestial marvels. For more captivating stories, reach out to him at elagatta@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY, highlighting the best celestial displays of 2024, from total solar eclipses to mesmerizing auroras that have mesmerized audiences across the globe.
