The aurora borealis, a natural light display typically confined to polar regions, made a rare appearance over central Kansas on the evening of November 11, extending visibility to Salina and surrounding areas.
The phenomenon began around 8 p.m. under mostly clear skies, with bands of green light arching across the northern horizon. Fainter traces of pink and purple accompanied the primary green glow, visible to the unaided eye from darker locations such as rural fields near the Smoky Hill River and parks like Kenwood Park within city limits.
This southern reach resulted from a severe geomagnetic storm, classified as G4 on the five-level scale by space weather forecasters. The storm originated from a coronal mass ejection on the sun, which released a massive burst of solar wind that interacted with Earth's magnetic field. Charged particles from the solar wind collided with oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere, producing the colorful emissions at altitudes of about 60 to 250 miles above the surface.
In Salina, the display peaked between 9 and 11 p.m., fading gradually by midnight. Urban light pollution diminished the view in downtown areas, but the lights were more pronounced from the city's outskirts, including spots along Interstate 135 and toward the north near the airport. The event lasted several hours, offering extended viewing opportunities for those who ventured outdoors in the crisp autumn temperatures, which dipped into the low 30s Fahrenheit.
Such geomagnetic storms occur periodically during peaks in the sun's 11-year cycle, with the current solar maximum contributing to increased auroral activity. While the northern lights are a common sight in Alaska and Scandinavia, sightings this far south—latitude 38.8 degrees north for Salina—are infrequent, occurring roughly once every decade under strong storm conditions.
No disruptions to power grids, satellite communications or GPS systems were reported in the Salina area, though national forecasters noted minor radio blackouts earlier in the day.
A watch for continued auroral activity remained in effect through tonight (November 12), with potential for subdued displays if cloud cover holds off.
Photo by Ken Stromberg
