A solar storm last week made the breath-taking northern lights visible in upstate New York on March 23 and 24.
This specific light show was so vibrant that states as far south as North Carolina even caught glimpses of the beautiful lights. Although clouds were forecasted for late that night into the next morning, around 10:45 p.m. the skies cleared up enough for the northern lights to be visible.
One of the best places to be able to see the northern lights is away from city lights and other sources of light pollution, but this solar storm was strong enough that viewers in Oswego could see hues and lines of color in the sky looking north toward the lake. The northern lights were visible enough to be captured by cellphone photography.
One of the most difficult northern light colors to capture on photograph is red due to the interaction of solar particles and oxygen at greater altitudes, but even red was seen in photographs by viewers in Oswego. Other colors that were visible ranged from different shades of blue, green and hues of yellow-green.
Many locals and SUNY Oswego employees noted how rare the event of seeing the northern lights is, as it was one of the only few times they have ever seen the northern lights in the area, especially so vividly. Even the cold temperatures and howling winds did not stop people from going out and getting whatever photos they could and to take in the moment of such a natural rare event.
Some people who found out about the lights that live in areas not ideal for viewing them drove out to places with better viewing conditions to view the event and share it with others through captured photos. Viewers who were able to get down by the marina, parts of Breitbeck Park that were darker and past Rudy’s Lakeside Drive-In on County Route 89 could see lines and hues of color visible to the naked eye going across the lake to the Canadian coast.
Oswego is truly home to some extraordinary weather phenomenons like thunder snow, massive lake-effect snowstorms, and sometimes waterspouts as well as seeing the wondrous northern lights.
For those looking into finding out more about the northern lights and to get some accurate forecasts about the chances to see them again, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website to view maps of where the northern lights may be visible next, as well as the percentage chance of being able to view them.
More photos can be found on SUNY Oswego’s Facebook page. Be sure to be on the lookout for when this rare event may come back to the area again. Plan to stay up late, as usually 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. is the best time to view the northern lights and make sure light pollution is limited at your viewing spot.
Photo by: Bradley Jacobs
