(WTAJ) — Did you see them? The Northern Lights, that is. They dazzled and wowed Pennsylvanians across the state Thursday night.
The lights, scientifically known as the Aurora Borealis, reached far into the United States Thursday night, Oct. 10, giving thousands of Pennsylvania residents a chance to see them.
Don’t worry if you missed them, the sun has yet to reach solar peak, something projected to happen in 2025. More solar storms, stronger still, will reach Earth over the coming months.
Check out the slideshow below full of wonderful photos from viewers across our region.
Northern Lights in Bellwood, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Josh Rimmey)
Northern Lights in Windburne10.10.24 (Photo: Noah Dunlap)
Northern Lights in Windburne10.10.24 (Photo: Noah Dunlap)
Northern Lights in Glen Hope, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Scott Norris)
Northern Lights in Glen Hope, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Scott Norris)
Northern Lights in Houtzdale, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Miranda Beish)
Northern Lights in Houtzdale, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Miranda Beish)
Northern Lights over Altoona, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Jordan Wagner)
Northern Lights in Houtzdale, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Miranda Beish)
Northern Lights in Altoona, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Heather Snyder)
Northern Lights over Altoona, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Jordan Wagner)
Northern Lights in Altoona, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Heather Snyder)
Northern Lights in Altoona, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Heather Snyder)
Northern Lights in Altoona, Pennsylvania 10.10.24
Northern Lights captured at Way Fruit Farms in Centre County 10.10.24
Northern Lights over Altoona, Pa. 10.10.24 (Photo: Jordan Wagner)
Northern Lights in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 10.10.24
Northern Lights in DuBois, Pa. 10.10.24
Northern Lights in Fallentimber, Pa. 10.10.24
Why couldn’t I see the Northern Lights?
While photos came in from State College, Houtzdale and Altoona, you may not have seen them when you looked up. There’s a good reason for that.
A solar storm from the sun sends charged particles out into space. When they hit Earth, they interact with its magnetic field. The field can’t be seen with the naked eye and the further south the lights reach the weaker they become.
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So how did these pictures happen? That’s the marvel of modern technology. While standing on your porch, it may look like a normal night sky, but if you point your phone camera to the sky and use night mode, you may see more than meets the eye.
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