It seems there was a vivid night sky with noticeable aurora activity last night, along with reports of the Leonids meteor shower peaking around mid- November and visible northern lights in various regions due to a geomagnetic disturbance. Here’s a concise snapshot of what likely occurred and how to verify for your location. What happened
- Aurora borealis visibility: A strong geomagnetic event produced colorful auroras that many observers saw at various latitudes, including places not typically associated with vivid auroras. The display ranged in color and intensity and could disrupt or influence high-lidelity GPS or power systems in sensitive areas, though observers mainly enjoyed the spectacle.
- Leonids meteor shower: The annual Leonids, currently active in November, were near peak period or approaching peak around mid-to-late November, offering potential meteor several-night displays with higher rates during peak nights.
- Notable sky features: You may have also observed a bright waning crescent Moon in the early evening sky, along with bright planets and star patterns depending on your location and local light pollution. For detailed local viewing, the Moon’s position and prominent constellations like Leo are often discussed during mid-November evenings.
How to check what you saw, exactly
- Local sky reports: Check reputable astronomy sites or local news outlets for observer reports confirming aurora sightings and meteor shower activity in your area on the date you mention.
- Astronomical calendars: Look up the November sky guide for your hemisphere to confirm the Moon phase, planet positions, and any meteor shower peaks around November 13–14.
- Safety and science notes: If you observed auroras, note any warning about potential power or satellite impacts from geomagnetic activity in regional advisories.
If you share your approximate location (city or region) and whether you observed lights at late night or predawn hours, it’s possible to tailor which events were most likely visible from there and provide more precise timing and sky targets.
