Friday night brought a rare celestial event that illuminated the night sky over Tennessee and captured the attention of people across the continental U.S. This captivating phenomenon not only captivated observers but also sparked a frenzy on social media platforms.
Thousands of people flooded social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, sharing captivating images of the awe-inspiring northern lights. This mesmerizing spectacle was made possible by a powerful geomagnetic solar storm, propelling streams of gaseous particles from the sun’s surface to collide with the Earth’s atmosphere. The breathtaking display was visible not only in Tennessee but also across the United States.
The natural phenomenon known as Aurora Borealis, or northern lights, is usually observed in regions closer to the North Pole, such as Alaska and Canada. However, on Friday, people in Tennessee had a rare opportunity to witness this breathtaking spectacle. While the northern lights have made appearances in the state before, this event was particularly vibrant and unforgettable, making it the most remarkable sighting of the lights in our lifetime. It is worth noting that the northern lights may make more appearances in the night sky throughout this year and into the next.
The National Weather Service issued a severe solar storm watch on Friday afternoon, marking the first time since 2005. Surprisingly, the solar storm turned out to be even stronger than anticipated, reaching a peak of G5 intensity. This is the first time in over 20 years that a solar storm of this magnitude has been observed.
The northern lights didn’t appear as they are usually portrayed in photographs from Alaska or Sweden, and they weren’t anticipated to. Instead, they appeared as a hazy phenomenon with hints of pink and green.
The northern lights appeared somewhat faint to the naked eye, and some people even claimed they couldn’t see them at all. However, if you were in a location without cloud cover and away from bright streetlights or security lighting, you could spot them. When you looked up at the sky, you could quickly notice the presence of the northern lights due to the slightly blurred conditions they created. As your eyes adjusted, you would start to see shades of pink and green, with pink being more prominent than green.
To fully capture the mesmerizing beauty of the northern lights, photographers rely on a technique called long-exposure photography. This technique involves using slow shutter speeds to capture still or nearly still objects in low light settings by maximizing the available light. In the past, this technology was only accessible to professional photographers. However, nowadays, many newer mobile phones are equipped with exceptional long-exposure capabilities, with some being more advanced than others. For instance, the latest models from Apple and Samsung offer impressive long-exposure features.
The techniques employed to capture images of the northern lights on Friday night resemble the methods photographers have long utilized to photograph waterfalls. By using tripods to keep stationary objects clear and sharp, while allowing the moving water to appear misty, these techniques have the ability to transform an ordinary waterfall into a magical spectacle. Similarly, these techniques were employed on Friday night to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of the night sky, giving it an equally enchanting and captivating appearance.
Despite the anticipation, the northern lights failed to make an appearance on Saturday night. The forecasters then raised hopes for their visibility on Sunday night, but once again, they proved elusive.
During the peak of the current solar cycle, which is expected to happen next year, there is a chance that the mesmerizing northern lights will occasionally be visible in Tennessee. Although it is difficult to predict these occurrences far in advance, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides an ongoing short-range aurora forecast on its website to keep enthusiasts informed.
