A rare sight was seen over Moore County last night, the aurora borealis (better known as the Northern Lights) were visible thanks to series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, North Carolina was in the “possibly visible zone” with the best viewing times between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Many in our area started seeing the lights as early as 9 p.m.
Researchers have observed increasingly intense solar flares as the sun approaches the peak of activity of its 11 year cycle later this year. When these solar flares are directed at Earth, they can cause geomagnetic storms and disturbances of Earth’s magnetic field. This solar activity is expected to continue over the weekend, meaning it’s possible to see the Northern Lights Saturday and Sunday nights.
The best viewing location would be a dark spot with a clear view to the north. The lights will appear faint to the naked eye, but you will noticed a purple and green haze to the sky. Steaks of faint white could also be seen. Using a camera with a long exposure setting will help enhance viewing of the lights.
A Moore County native who has spent more than 20 years telling stories across North Carolina and beyond. He’s worked with CNN, WRAL, and CBS 17, and now serves as a Video Journalist for ABC11. Patrick has a passion for breaking news and has earned multiple awards for his coverage. He’s also a certified NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter and was among the first news videographers in the state to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.