In a rare celestial display, residents in the western part of Washington state were treated to a stunning show of the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, right in their own backyard. Mr. Gao from Everett, Washington, excitedly expressed to a reporter from Epoch Times, “I always thought you had to be in the Arctic Circle to see the aurora, but tonight, I witnessed it right here in my yard for the first time.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its first strong G4 geomagnetic storm warning since 2005 due to at least seven intense coronal mass ejections (CME) activities, resulting in the appearance of the Northern Lights in states like Alabama and northern California. Authorities stated that people could observe the aurora from the night of May 10th through Mother’s Day weekend.
As anticipated, the Northern Lights made their appearance, dazzling the skies over the western part of Washington state, allowing residents of the region to witness this rare natural phenomenon. People poured out of their homes to capture this once-in-a-20-year spectacle.
As the aurora danced in the night sky, its vibrant colors illuminated the darkness. The striking hues of purple, green, yellow, and pink resembled an artist’s palette, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that sparked endless imagination.
“I never imagined I would see the aurora in Seattle,” said college student Linda to Epoch Times. “This is the first time in my life witnessing such a sight, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Linda shared her feelings with the reporter, saying, “The entire city seemed to be covered by the colorful aurora, incredibly spectacular. The intertwining red and green bands of light appeared like a gateway from the heavens to the earth, with countless light columns cascading like waterfalls. With awe in my heart, I looked up at the sky where stars and auroras intertwined, deeply moved by this natural wonder. I felt the vastness and mystery of the universe.”
Another college student, Wei Ran, remarked, “My experience after seeing the aurora was profound. Standing beneath that dazzling light, I felt incredibly small. In that moment, I began pondering humanity’s place and significance in the universe. While humans build tall buildings, push the boundaries of technology on Earth, in the face of the vast expanse of the universe, it all seems insignificant.”
“This experience made me rethink what truly matters. Caught up in the trivialities of daily life, chasing after fame and fortune, this magnificent natural landscape reminds us that we are just specks of dust in the universe. Although our power is limited, our lives and choices are still filled with meaning and purpose. Through this connection with such natural landscapes, I have come to cherish the connections with others and the present moment.”
“The aurora is not just a natural phenomenon; it is more like a window through which we see the subtle existence of humans and the grandeur of the universe. This made me realize that despite our self-perceived greatness, compared to the vastness of the universe, we all need to learn humility and awe towards the heavens and the earth.”
Excitedly, Mary from Lakemont exclaimed, “Returning home from a friend’s house around 11 p.m., I unexpectedly looked up and saw the sky ablaze with colorful lights, the legendary aurora. Overwhelmed with excitement, I grabbed my phone and took a series of photos. To be able to witness such a beautiful and mysterious aurora in front of my own home, it felt like a magical dream.”
Seattle resident Yang Sheng expressed, “Pushing open my door, gazing at the ethereal green lights, as they froze into more brilliant auroras in the camera, the aurora truly became vivid in my mind. Just like the lyrics ‘Love is a light, so beautiful.’ At this moment, my love for this world increased, and my anticipation for Seattle summer grew stronger!”
Residents in Alabama in the southeastern U.S., coastal areas of Northern California in the western Pacific, and neighbors in Canada’s Vancouver also captured images of the aurora.
According to the official website of the International Atomic Energy Agency, external dose expert Michael Hajek mentioned, “Cosmic-ray particles entering Earth’s magnetosphere can create truly dazzling and colorful auroras.” Astrophysicist Joan Feynman discovered that these mystical phenomena mainly occur in high-latitude regions around the North and South Poles as a result of charged solar wind particles colliding with the atmospheric gases. The most common pale yellow-green auroras are produced by oxygen molecules, while nitrogen can produce blue or purple-red auroras.