Solar storm unleashes stunning views of auroras across the US: See northern lights photos

Green and reddish auroras danced across Thursday's night sky throughout the United States as a powerful solar storm unleashed the northern lights far and wide.

Americans from the northern U.S. and even as far south as Alabama had a chance to witness the striking rays, spirals and flickers, which was amplified when a solar coronal mass ejection of plasma clouds and charged particles drove a geomagnetic storm toward Earth. The storm was so strong that it prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to issue a rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch for the second time this year.

Because of the way the solar particles interact with Earth's magnetosphere, the powerful eruption made the auroras visible and active even further toward the equator than usual.

Photographs from across the U.S. captured the dazzling display.

And if you happened to miss it, not to fear: There will be far more opportunities to catch the northern lights soon as the sun continues to reach the height of its 11-year solar cycle.

Peak northern lights activity: What to know about auroras as sun reaches solar maximum

See photos of northern lights

The northern lights visible over Oakland, NJ on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
The northern lights visible over Oakland, NJ on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
Sky watchers view the Northern Lights at Egypt Beach in Scituate Massachusetts overlooking the Atlantic at 10PM on Thursday, October 10, 2024
Sky watchers view the Northern Lights at Egypt Beach in Scituate Massachusetts overlooking the Atlantic at 10PM on Thursday, October 10, 2024
The aurora borealis, the northern lights, are visible in the sky over Tierce Patton Road Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The lights were not visible to the naked eye, but the camera's image sensor was sensitive enough to capture them.
The aurora borealis, the northern lights, are visible in the sky over Tierce Patton Road Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The lights were not visible to the naked eye, but the camera's image sensor was sensitive enough to capture them.
The northern lights visible over Oradell, NJ on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
The northern lights visible over Oradell, NJ on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
The northern lights are visible during a several second exposure from Ellsworth Park in Bayside on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
The northern lights are visible during a several second exposure from Ellsworth Park in Bayside on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
A brilliant purple Aurora Borealis lit up the sky over Brewster on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
A brilliant purple Aurora Borealis lit up the sky over Brewster on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
The aurora over Augusta County on Thursday, Oct 10.
The aurora over Augusta County on Thursday, Oct 10.
The colors of the Aurora Borealis fille the sky behind the Fisherman's Memorial in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Thursday evening, October 10, 2024.
The colors of the Aurora Borealis fille the sky behind the Fisherman's Memorial in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Thursday evening, October 10, 2024.
The aurora borealis, the northern lights, are visible in the sky over Tierce Patton Road Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The lights were not visible to the naked eye, but the camera’s image sensor was sensitive enough to capture them.
The aurora borealis, the northern lights, are visible in the sky over Tierce Patton Road Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The lights were not visible to the naked eye, but the camera’s image sensor was sensitive enough to capture them.
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, seen from Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Cass County, MI.
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, seen from Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, in Cass County, MI.
The aurora over Augusta County on Thursday, Oct 10.
The aurora over Augusta County on Thursday, Oct 10.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Northern lights sparkle across the US: See photos of aurora borealis