The Auroras set skies aglow in a once-generation geomagnetic storm. On May 10, this unexpected phenomenon occurred worldwide. It was visible across all 50 states in the U.S.  Lucky viewers had a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness the strong, enchanting phenomena in Southern California and San Diego, specifically. 

The Aurora Borealis is a natural light display predominantly seen in high-latitude regions. It occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, causing ionization and the release of photons, which cause the colorful and beautiful lights in the sky. It is most commonly seen in the winter months, and this occasional moment occurred in San Diego. This unexpected occurrence was in San Diego because it is a region close to the equator, and these auroras usually occur unexpectedly, more so close to high latitude regions, thanks to climate change. Recently, climate change has been one of the reasons why warming temperatures are most likely altering the temperature and the behavior of the Earth’s upper atmosphere and weakening the planet’s magnetic field.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has observed a magnitude of solar storms that bring forth disrupted power communications, with the effects lasting until next week. Who knows when we will see another one of these beautiful sights again in San Diego?