"Surprise Solar Storm Delivers Stunning Aurora Display Across US"

A rare appearance of the Aurora Borealis, caused by a strong geomagnetic storm that damaged the Earth's magnetic field, was witnessed by millions of people in the United States. The Northern Lights display was accompanied by dancing green brilliance and several colors, including red, blue, and purple. The location of oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere determines the colors visible in the sky. Auroras are caused by the Sun, which sends energy and small particles our way, and during a solar storm, some of these particles can travel down the magnetic field lines and into Earth's atmosphere, resulting in beautiful displays of light in the sky.