The Best Photos Of Friday's Stunning Aurora Borealis Seen Across The US

A powerful geometric storm over the weekend treated skygazers in the U.S. and around the world to breathtaking displays of the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. The storm, triggered by a series of solar flares, allowed those in the northern half of the U.S. and even as far south as the Florida Keys to witness the awe-inspiring natural light show.

The storm was set in motion by seven coronal mass ejections – clouds of plasma and charged particles – that entered Earth's outer atmosphere on Friday, just a day after NOAA issued a rare storm watch for the first time in nearly two decades. As predicted, the solar storm caused by these coronal mass ejections led to reports of power grid irregularities and reduced functionality in high-frequency communications and GPS systems, according to NOAA.

Despite the minor disruptions, the storm's visual impact was nothing short of spectacular. The vibrant colors of the northern lights painted the night sky, captivating onlookers and reminding us of the incredible beauty and power of our universe.

USA Today photographers were on hand to capture the stunning images of the northern lights as they danced across the sky, ensuring that this extraordinary event will be remembered for years to come. Chris Pietsch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Eugene, Oregon

Angie Avitia, left, and Marshall Falcon watch the northern lights from Perkins Peninsula Park on the shores of Fern Ridge reservoir west of Eugene, Oregon on May 10, 2024. Chris Pietsch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lowell, Oregon

The northern lights appear over Dexter Reservoir before midnight on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Lowell, Ore. Ben Lonergan / USA TODAY NETWORK

Alaiedon Township, Michigan

The Northen Lights, or aurora borealis, seen Friday, May 10, 2024, in Alaiedon Township, Mich. Matthew Dae Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lansing, Michigan.

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Alaiedon Township, near Lansing, Michigan. Matthew Dae Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lansing, Michigan.

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, on Friday, May 10, 2024, in Alaiedon Township, near Lansing, Michigan. Matthew Dae Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ypsilanti, Michigan

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, as seen from Ypsilanti, Michigan on May 10, 2024. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lowell, Oregon

The northern lights appear over Dexter Reservoir before midnight on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Lowell, Ore. Ben Lonergan / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cashion, Oklahoma

The Northern Lights are pictured near Cashion, Okla., Friday, May 10, 2024. Bryan Terry / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cashion, Oklahoma

People look at the Northern lights near Cashion, Okla., Friday, May, 10, 2024. Sarah Phipps / USA TODAY NETWORK

Eugene, Oregon

Marshall Falcon, left, photographs the northern lights as he and Angie Avitia watch the celestial display from Perkins Peninsula Park on the shores of Fern Ridge reservoir west of Eugene, Ore. Friday, May 10, 2024. Chris Pietsch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lowell, Oregon

The northern lights appear over Dexter Reservoir before midnight on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Lowell, Ore. Ben Lonergan / USA TODAY NETWORK

Stormville Mountain, New York

The Northern Lights as seen from the Stormville Mountain rest stop on Interstate 84 in East Fishkill early Saturday morning May 11, 2024. Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK