The most likely cause of last night’s northern lights display was a recent geomagnetic storm driven by activity on the Sun, specifically coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that interacted with Earth's magnetic field. When these solar eruptions reach Earth, they inject charged particles into the magnetosphere, energizing atmospheric gases and producing the colorful aurora lights visible at high latitudes and, under strong conditions, farther south than usual. The intensity and geographic reach depend on how the solar wind and magnetic fields line up with Earth’s field. Key factors typically involved

• Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun that are earth-directed.
• A geomagnetic storm pushing energy into Earth’s magnetosphere, often classified on NOAA’s space weather scales (G1–G5), with stronger storms generating more vivid auroras.
• Alignment of the interplanetary magnetic field with Earth’s magnetic field, which can enhance or suppress auroral activity.

What to expect next

• Aurora activity often continues for a day or two around a major storm, with potential reappearances if additional solar activity occurs.
• The best viewing conditions are away from city lights, under clear skies, and near magnetic latitudes where auroras are typically observed.

If you’d like, I can check recent space-weather updates for precise storm classifications, expected aurora visibility, and the latest forecast for your location.