:format(jpeg):focal(735x615:745x605)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gfrmedia/GYYXLDYFTFEK5MKCDFYGCP7XSY.jpg "The northern lights were seen in Puerto Rico")
Northern Lights Illuminate the Sky in Puerto Rico After 103 Years
The night sky in Puerto Rico was lit up with a spectacular display of the northern lights, a phenomenon that had not been seen on the island for over a century. The Caribbean Astronomy Society (SAC) confirmed that the dazzling lights were spotted in various locations including Cabo Rojo, Ciales, and Hormigueros.
The rare occurrence was caused by a geomagnetic storm that took place last night, with countries like the United States and Spain also reporting sightings. Eddie Irizarry, a scientific communicator at SAC, stated that sightings in Puerto Rico occurred between 11:00 pm and 11:45 pm on Friday, with reports coming in from towns like Ciales, Añasco, Cabo Rojo, and Hormigueros.
Irizarry noted that the last sightings of the northern lights in Puerto Rico happened in 1859 and 1921, making this event a truly unique experience for residents. The current phenomenon is attributed to increased solar activity, as the Sun approaches its maximum solar activity cycle every eleven years, resulting in more sunspots and solar storms.
The coronal mass ejections from the Sun create a colorful spectacle when they interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, producing vibrant hues of green, pink, and violet in the sky. Nelson Ortega, vice president of SAC, mentioned that the northern lights were also visible in Cuba and Jamaica, making it a significant event in the region.
As the Sun continues to show heightened activity, more displays of the northern lights are anticipated in the coming days. The recent geomagnetic storm reached a level G5, the highest on the scale, with the possibility of additional ejections resulting in more sightings over the weekend.
Residents who witnessed the breathtaking phenomenon shared their photos and videos on social media, capturing the magical moment of the northern lights illuminating the night sky in Puerto Rico. The event serves as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of our natural world, as well as the rare and awe-inspiring moments that can occur when science and nature converge.