What's Happening?
A video capturing an extraordinary view of the northern lights from an airplane has gone viral on TikTok. The footage, shared by Christian H. Nielsen, shows a vibrant display of green and red aurora borealis
seen from a plane flying home from Iceland. The video was taken during a severe geomagnetic storm caused by solar flares hitting Earth's atmosphere. The northern lights, a result of electrons colliding with the Earth's atmosphere, were visible across much of the United States, reaching as far south as Alabama and New Mexico. The U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center had issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch due to recent solar ejections.
Why It's Important?
The viral video highlights the beauty and rarity of witnessing the northern lights from an airplane, an experience often described as 'once in a lifetime.' The event underscores the impact of solar activity on Earth's atmosphere, which can lead to stunning natural phenomena visible over large areas. Such occurrences can increase public interest in space weather and its effects, potentially influencing tourism and scientific research. The widespread visibility of the aurora borealis across the U.S. also demonstrates the reach of geomagnetic storms, which can affect communication systems and power grids.
