This past week, a rare and spectacular event occurred over Kent: the northern lights, or aurora borealis, became visible in our area. Normally seen only in far northern regions like Canada or Alaska, this light show lit up our skies due to a geomagnetic storm caused by a solar eruption.

But what exactly caused this stunning view? The northern lights happen when charged particles from the sun, released during a “coronal mass ejection” (a massive burst of energy and particles), hit Earth’s atmosphere. These particles are guided by the Earth’s magnetic field toward the poles, where they collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen. When these particles hit the gases, it creates a beautiful glow in the sky. The colors you see—pink, purple, green, or blue—depend on the types of gases and the altitudes where the collisions happen. 

In Kent, we were lucky enough to catch this phenomenon thanks to a powerful geomagnetic storm, rated as a G4-level event by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). According to the NOAA website, the storm was strong enough to push the northern lights far south, making them visible in several parts of Connecticut.

Even though the lights were difficult to see with the naked eye in some spots due to light pollution, many captured stunning photos of the vibrant colors using long-exposure photography. This rare chance was a treat for skywatchers, and it is a reminder that even our small town can witness one of nature’s most breathtaking shows.