A rare and breathtaking geomagnetic storm illuminated skies across the United States on Wednesday night, allowing millions of Americans to witness the northern lights, a natural light show typically reserved for the Arctic.

From Maine to as far south as Texas, brilliant hues of green, purple, and red shimmered overhead, creating one of the most widespread aurora sightings in decades. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that the dazzling display was caused by a strong solar storm, as waves of charged particles from the sun collided with Earth’s magnetic field.

Social media was flooded overnight with photos and videos showing glowing skies above New York, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, and even parts of North Carolina. Many users described the event as “once-in-a-lifetime,” while others expressed awe that such a natural wonder was visible so far south.

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said the geomagnetic activity reached a G4 level, one of the most intense on its scale. Scientists say the aurora could continue into early Thursday morning in some regions, depending on cloud cover and solar activity.

“This is one of the strongest geomagnetic storms we’ve seen in recent years,” said NOAA scientist Dr. Tamitha Skov. “It’s rare for auroras to stretch this far south, and it’s a reminder of just how dynamic space weather can be.”

Experts also noted that the storm caused minor disruptions to GPS systems and radio communications, though no major infrastructure damage was reported.

The northern lights, officially called aurora borealis, occur when charged solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, producing waves of colorful light. While they’re most common in northern regions like Alaska and Canada, strong solar storms can push the auroras into lower latitudes, as witnessed across the U.S. this week.

NASA scientists are encouraging skywatchers to stay alert for future displays, as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, meaning more powerful storms, and more auroras, are likely in the coming months.

For now, Americans are still sharing and marveling at the moment the night sky lit up in color, a rare moment of collective wonder stretching from coast to coast.