Sky Gazers Went Out to Witness the Perseid Meteor Shower. Instead, They Found the Northern Lights.
Northern California sky-gazers headed out to witness the highly anticipated Perseid meteor shower last night, but instead, they were treated to an unexpected and spectacular display of the Northern Lights.
As residents gathered under the dark skies, hoping to catch a glimpse of the annual meteor shower, vibrant bands of green, pink, and purple lights began to dance across the horizon, creating a magical scene that left onlookers in awe.
The National Weather Service put the alert out around midnight that the Northern Lights were visible, prompting a flood of people heading outdoors in the middle of the night:
For you night owls, the Aurora is out tonight and has been visible across portions of northern California! Here's a view from near Redding around 11 PM this evening ?
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) August 12, 2024
Be sure to get away from city lights and look to the north if you're trying to catch them tonight!#CAwx pic.twitter.com/GIBumkFWib
The rare appearance of the Northern Lights this far south was a surprise to many, as the phenomenon is typically only visible in more northern regions. The stunning auroras illuminated the night sky, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the meteor shower and offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those lucky enough to be outside at the right moment.
The combination of the Perseid meteors and the Northern Lights made for an unforgettable night, with many residents capturing the beauty of the event on camera.
Below are some of the incredible images taken by local photographers and residents who were fortunate enough to witness this extraordinary celestial show:
A brilliant display of the smoke tinged northern lights dips to mid-latitudes at 39.0430° N, 122.9158° W, late Sunday night over Clear Lake in Lake County, Ca. The last large #substorm hit on May 10 of this year. @NorthBayNews @NWSEureka #northernlights #AurorBorealis pic.twitter.com/IygUmAa4FP
— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) August 12, 2024
VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE IN TRUCKEE #cawx pic.twitter.com/NXUg0udHOX
— Brittany Whitlam (@britwhitlamwx) August 12, 2024
Hehe. pic.twitter.com/uv0o6aKuXF
— Bradley (@W_C_Weather) August 12, 2024
WOW! From my house in Chico, CA! And the red is visible to the naked eye! pic.twitter.com/jJ9G4yHxoz
— Michael Steinberg (@MichaelWX18) August 12, 2024