Aurora Borealis Over Minneapolis, October 2024

The Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, was visible over Minneapolis in October 2024. This natural light display is caused by disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar wind. While typically seen at higher latitudes, strong solar activity can cause the aurora to be visible further south. The vibrant colors, including green and pink hues, are a result of different gases in the Earth's atmosphere being excited by charged particles from the sun. This event offered residents of Minneapolis a rare opportunity to witness this celestial phenomenon.