It’s the natural light show that is amazing and hard to capture: the northern lights, or Aurora Borealis.
Normally, it’s hard to see the natural phenomenon when you’re not in the Arctic Circle or Iceland. But thanks to some solar flares and other factors, the northern lights were visible in the northern United States and in the United Kingdom on Friday night.
And of course we got some incredible photos of the event, ones you have to check out because they’re absolutely stunning. Here’s a sampling of what we saw thanks to the amazing work of the photographers who snapped the event:
Northern lights or aurora borealis are seen over Margate, Kent, South East Britain, during a geomagnetic storm on May 10, 2024. The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth on May10, 2024, triggering spectacular celestial light shows in skies from Tasmania to Britain — and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend. (Photo by Alice Dhuru / AFP) (Photo by ALICE DHURU/AFP via Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) 2152392390