Just recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a public alert about a major geomagnetic solar storm that began on August 11. This solar storm, caused by a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), triggered an awe-inspiring aurora that captivated skywatchers around the world. Among the lucky few to witness this dazzling light show were a pilot flying a passenger jet and an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), both of whom managed to capture the spectacle on camera.
The storm produced vibrant auroras for more than 48 hours, with some reports suggesting that the aurora might have been visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California. NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, who was aboard the ISS during the event, became a sensation on social media after sharing his stunning photos of the aurora. “It was an unforgettable experience,” Dominick said. One of his pictures shows the Moon in the background, framed by the supply craft attached to the ISS, while another features the Soyuz spacecraft illuminated by the bright green glow of the aurora.
While Dominick had an extraordinary vantage point from space, a pilot flying within Earth’s atmosphere also had the chance to witness the cosmic phenomenon up close. Scott Bateman, the pilot of an Airbus A350-1000 on a long-haul international flight, described the aurora as “spectacular.” He captured the mesmerizing display on his iPhone 15 without the need for filters or editing. “It started as we passed Chicago at 39,000 feet and lasted until dawn over Ireland when it turned purple,” Bateman said. “I have never seen the aurora borealis so vivid with reds and purples. We had a front-row seat in our Airbus.”
Auroras are the result of disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by solar flares and winds. These interactions create dynamic patterns of lights that appear in the sky as curtains, rays, spirals, or flickers. The August 11 solar storm created one of the most striking auroral displays in recent memory, leaving those who witnessed it in awe of the natural world’s beauty and power.
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