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Photos: Northern lights dazzle in skies over in New England

Katie Cole

October 11, 2024

The northern lights put on a vibrant show over New England on Thursday night.

The dancing pink and green hues — visible even for many in light-polluted areas like Boston — were caused by a solar flare that erupted earlier this week. The sun has reached a period in its 11-year cycle when it is most active, causing the northern lights to be more visible over New England recently. (Here's more on the science of auroras.)

If you missed the display, or want to relive the magic, you may have another shot. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center shows there's a chance that the aurora will be visible in New England again Friday and Saturday night.

Here's a look at the bright sights from last night:

The Northern Lights shine over Waltham, Mass. (Meghan Kelly/WBUR) — The northern lights shine pink and green over Waltham. (Meghan Kelly/WBUR)

An aurora borealis glows red in the sky above a barn in East Derry, N.H., Oct. 10, 2024. (Charles Krupa/AP) — An aurora borealis glows red in the sky above a barn in East Derry, New Hampshire. (Charles Krupa/AP)

An aurora glows pink above a stop sign in Boston. (Katie Cole/WBUR)

The Northern Lights over Falmouth, Maine Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (David Sharp/AP) — The Northern Lights over Falmouth, Maine. (David Sharp/AP)