Northern Lights Delights Millions Of People, Including Southerners, Vermonters

 Wow! What a show!

I was able to catch this image over St. Albans, Vermont
with an old iPhone5.

Much of Planet Earth was treated to a spectacular show of aurora last night, as the most intense geomagnetic storm from the sun in decades caused a massive display in the skies. If you went outside in Vermont last evening as I did, you surely saw a treat. 

The aurora is normally a creature of the far north. But Friday night, denizens of such Arctic outposts as Tybee Island, Georgia, San Antonio, Texas, Orlando, Florida and Nassau, The Bahamas found themselves enjoying the nighttime display. 

Take a look at your social media. It's FULL of photos this morning of the aurora.  If you really want some great Vermont images, check out photographers Adam Silverman, Stephen Mease and Brian Drourr

There are surely other Vermont photographers that I'm inadvertently skipping that also have amazing images.

Here in Vermont, it was the second extreme and breathtaking event in the skies within about a month, and on both occasions the weather cooperated. That's something rare in this cloudy state.

Back on April 8, northern Vermont was in the path of a total solar eclipse. High clouds that moved in just prior to the eclipse did nothing to block the spectacle, but did add some color and texture to what was already a breathtaking event.   

Old iPhone5 capture of the show last night over 
St. Albans, Vermont. 

Last night, skies partially cleared in Vermont, especially in the north, just before sunset. Like during the eclipse, the remaining clouds added texture to the curtains of green and red dancing in the sky. 

The aurora was so far south that it seemed to be originating right overhead. For a time here in St Albans, there was a dark circle directly overhead with streamers and sheets of green and red light emanating from it in every direction. 

Incredibly, the aurora covered the whole sky from northern to southern horizon.  That's only the second time in my long life I've seen anything like that. (The first time was during an outdoor birthday party my sister threw for me on September 7, 2002. Nice gift!)

Last night, the color changed constantly and so did the quality of the show. Sometimes it was just a general green or red glow in the sky. Other times, brilliant streaks lit up the night. 

At one point a shooting star zoomed through the spectacle, adding just that much more to the show. At another point, it got spooky. Most of the sky glowed a blood red, which reflected on the landscape surrounding me, making it seem like everything was red.

At one point last night, the sky over St. Albans turned
a spooky blood red. 

Since the aurora wasn't limited to a narrow path like the eclipse was, we had no stampede to Vermont to witness the show. Still, popular viewing spots got busy. 

 The Route 2 causeway between Milton and South Hero over Lake Champlain was reportedly jammed with hundreds of people, as that location offers a spectacular, clear view to the north. And in the case of what happened last  night, to the south, too.

The strength of the geomagnetic storm that caused all this could have created disruptions, such as power failures, internet outages and long lasting GPS short circuits. So far, though, I've seen no reports of any major issues. 

The only casualty I could find was our Jackson the Weather Dog here in St. Albans. He was a bit traumatized and confused because Jeff and I turned off all the exterior lights on our house and stood in the driveway, staring at the sky. 

The geomagnetic storm is continuing, so much of the planet might see another aurora tonight. It probably won't be as widespread as last night. 

Here in Vermont, we'd have a shot of seeing something somewhat less spectacular than last night, but still worth staying up for. However, the forecast is cloudier than it was last night. 

This has been quite a year for Green Mountain State skywatchers. Next up is not space weather, but regular weather. 

We're heading into thunderstorm season, which to me creates the most beautiful and interesting clouds possible. No thunderstorm outbreaks are in the immediate forecast, though it will be showery off and on today through at least Wednesday.