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The Picture Show: NPR

The Picture Show: NPR

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The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, shine over Whitby Harbour, Whitby, UK on October 10th.

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are seen in the sky over Whitby Harbour, Whitby, UK on October 10th.

Alfie Cosgrove/Sipa USA/AP


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Alfie Cosgrove/Sipa USA/AP

On Thursday, the Northern Lights – also known as the Aurora Borealis – illuminated large parts of Europe and the United States.

The rare and fleeting appearance stopped many in their tracks and sparked a moment of awe and wonder from experienced aurora hunters and novice stargazers alike.

Some kept their gaze fixed on the evening sky all night long. While others were wonderfully surprised by the sudden shimmering splashes of red, green and purple above them.

The dazzling play of colors was the result of a strong solar storm that hit the earth. People usually travel to Alaska, Iceland and other regions within the Arctic Circle to witness the celestial phenomenon. But the geomagnetic storm triggered the auroras that lit up the night sky. It is the second time this year that a major solar storm has hit Earth, the first being in May.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the light show should be visible as far away as Alabama and Northern California. However, some reported seeing the northern lights as far away as Texas, Arizona and Australia.

And sky watchers who missed the show may have another chance to see the lights – experts say they could reappear over the weekend.

On October 10, Northern Lights can be seen over the Baltic Sea near Kiel in northern Germany.

On October 10, Northern Lights can be seen over the Baltic Sea near Kiel in northern Germany.

Axel Heimken/AFP/Getty Images


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Axel Heimken/AFP/Getty Images

An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows red in the sky on October 10 in East Derry, New Hampshire

An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glows red in the sky on October 10 in East Derry, New Hampshire

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Charles Krupa/AP

The Northern Lights illuminate the night sky over Pitstone Windmill in Buckinghamshire on October 10th in Pitstone, UK.

The Northern Lights illuminate the night sky over Pitstone Windmill in Buckinghamshire on October 10th in Pitstone, UK.

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Jim Dyson/Getty Images

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, can be seen in the sky over Dublin on October 10th.

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, can be seen in the sky over Dublin on October 10th.

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Jonah Lawless/AP

An aurora borealis appears Oct. 10 over pumpjacks extracting oil and gas from wells near Cremona, Alberta, Canada.

An aurora borealis appears Oct. 10 over pumpjacks extracting oil and gas from wells near Cremona, Alberta, Canada.

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Jeff McIntosh/AP

The Northern Lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm, are visible from Shenandoah National Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on October 10.

The Northern Lights, produced by a solar geomagnetic storm, are visible from Shenandoah National Park in Rileyville, Virginia, on October 10.

Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images


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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Northern lights are seen in the early morning hours of October 11th in Sugarloaf Key, Florida.

Northern lights are seen in the early morning hours of October 11th in Sugarloaf Key, Florida.

Jen Golbeck/Sipa USA/AP


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Jen Golbeck/Sipa USA/AP

An aurora borealis was seen on October 10 from the Pujalt Astronomical Observatory in Pujalt, Barcelona, ​​Spain.

An aurora borealis was seen on October 10 from the Pujalt Astronomical Observatory in Pujalt, Barcelona, ​​Spain.

Lorena Sopêna/Europa Press/AP


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Lorena Sopêna/Europa Press/AP

Wisconsin's night sky is ablaze with the Northern Lights as a geomagnetic storm brings bright pink and green colors to most northern states and beyond.

Wisconsin's night sky is ablaze with the Northern Lights as a geomagnetic storm brings bright pink and green colors to most northern states and beyond.

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Ross Harried/NurPhoto/AP

On October 10, Northern Lights shine in the night sky over Trakai Castle, about 29 kilometers from Vilnius, Lithuania.

On October 10, Northern Lights shine in the night sky over Trakai Castle, about 29 kilometers from Vilnius, Lithuania.

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Yauhen Yerchak/Sipa USA/AP

Northern Lights in the sky over Great Chart Church, Ashford, Kent, England, on October 10th.

Northern Lights in the sky over Great Chart Church, Ashford, Kent, England, on October 10th.

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Gareth Fuller/AP

Northern lights shine in the night sky over a street in eastern Brandenburg.

Northern lights shine in the night sky over a street in eastern Brandenburg.

Patrick Pleul/AP


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Patrick Pleul/AP

The Aurora Borealis can be seen in an incredible display in the sky over the causeway leading to Holy Island in Northumberland, England in the early hours or Friday morning.

The Aurora Borealis can be seen in an incredible display in the sky over the causeway leading to Holy Island in Northumberland, England in the early hours or Friday morning.

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Owen Humphreys/AP

The Milky Way and the Northern Lights can be seen together during a rare northern light appearance southwest of Mammoth Lakes, California, in the early morning hours of October 8th.

The Milky Way and the Northern Lights can be seen together during a rare northern light appearance southwest of Mammoth Lakes, California, in the early morning hours of October 8th.

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