A series of remarkable celestial events have captivated spectators in recent weeks. Preceding a rare “blood moon” lunar eclipse that mesmerized Americans on Thursday, the aurora borealis illuminated the Alaskan sky in brilliant green hues last weekend. This captivating display, commonly referred to as the northern lights, delighted onlookers in Fairbanks on Sunday with its vivid green glow. As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, residents of select northern states such as Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Montana, and Alaska are poised for another opportunity to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of the aurora borealis, as forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Friday and Saturday nights.
Following last weekend’s celestial showcase, fortunate viewers in Alaska were treated to a sight to behold. The rare blood moon Total lunar eclipse cast an eerie red hue in the night sky, while a video captured spectators in Fairbanks awestruck by the luminous aurora borealis. The footage showcases a group of individuals equipped with cameras and tripods standing in an open field, witnessing streaks of greenish-blue light dancing across the heavens in a mesmerizing ring formation. Additionally, the video captures a perspective from a moving vehicle, offering a glimpse through the windshield of the breathtaking celestial spectacle.
The northern lights, a natural phenomenon, are caused by interactions between charged particles from space and Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in striking displays of light. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute explains that collisions between these particles and gas molecules like oxygen and nitrogen energize the molecules, causing them to emit light as they return to their stable state. The colors of the aurora borealis are influenced by atmospheric conditions and the altitude of these collisions, with green being the most common hue, although shades of red, pink, blue, purple, yellow, and orange may also be observed.
Recent heightened solar activity, driven by the sun’s position in its 11-year solar cycle, has made sightings of the northern lights outside of the Earth’s poles increasingly frequent. This surge in solar activity has created optimal conditions for these mesmerizing displays to flourish beyond their traditional polar regions.
Author: Kinsey Crowley
Trending News Reporter at USA TODAY
Contact: kcrowley@gannett.com
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