STOCKTON– Last weekend featured a once-in-a-lifetime G4 geomagnetic storm, the largest seen in decades. The resulting effect was a beautiful showcase of the aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights) that could be seen all across the Northern Hemisphere, including Northern California.

Individuals from northern regions of the state were able to enjoy striking views of the natural phenomenon, with green and purple hues visible around the hours of 10pm to 2am with a phone camera or a strong pair of eyes. The aurora borealis was most visible Friday evening, though people were still able to witness it on Saturday and Sunday. 

For those in Stockton, the event posed a unique opportunity for locals to bear witness to such an event, as generally auroras are observed at much higher latitudes on the globe.

So what are auroras?

Auroras are a natural phenomena caused by solar wind emitted from the sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. Although they typically occur near the poles, they can occasionally be visible in a wider range of latitudes. They typically occur in various shades of purple, green, and pink.