Northern Lights Visible Over North Carolina
Millions Witness Spectacular Light Show
March 23,2023
Millions of people in western North Carolina were treated to an unexpectedly spectacular light show overnight, as the northern lights were visible across the region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had placed North Carolina in the possibly visible zone, and the conditions were perfect for viewing the aurora borealis.
The lights were first spotted around 9:00 p.m. on March 22, and they continued to be visible until after midnight. The display was so bright that it could be seen even in urban areas. Many people took to social media to share photos and videos of the phenomenon.
The northern lights are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth's magnetic field. These particles are drawn to the magnetic poles, where they collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere. The collisions cause the atoms and molecules to emit light, which we see as the northern lights.
The northern lights are typically only visible in high-latitude regions, such as Alaska and Canada. However, on rare occasions, they can be seen as far south as North Carolina. The last time the northern lights were visible in North Carolina was in 2015.
The sighting of the northern lights in North Carolina is a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. It is a reminder that even in the most ordinary of places, there is always the potential for something extraordinary to happen.
Forbes
Sky Telescope
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