Did you see the northern lights? Photos show lights dancing across southern Ontario
An uncommon phenomenon lit up the skies across southern Ontario on Thursday night, including in Waterloo region where the aurora borealis – also known as the northern lights - shone bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
According to the Government of Canada, auroras occur when charged particles - electrons and protons - collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere. Those collisions produce tiny flashes that fill the sky with colourful light.
The light display was a result of an Earth-facing coronal hole on the sun and solar winds, according to National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA)
On Thursday night these flashes were so bright they were visible across southern Ontario.
People took to social media to share their photos of the phenomenon.
A photo shared on Twitter appears to show the lights above Glenridge Plaza in Waterloo just before 11 p.m.
While the lights were visible in the city, those living in more rural areas were able to see vibrant colours streak across the sky.
Armature photographer Kevin Gilbert shared a series of photos on Twitter showing streaks of green and red stretching across the sky above Arthur.
The forecast form the NOAA shows the probability of seeing the aurora was high Thursday around 2:30 a.m.
The brightness and location of the aurora are typically shown as a green oval centred on Earth’s magnetic pole. The green ovals turn red when the aurora is forecasted to be more intense, the NOAA websites reads.
WHEN CAN YOU SEE THE LIGHTS NEXT?
If you missed the lights last night, you may be in luck as increased solar activity is expected to continue Friday night.
A forecast form the NOAA shows geomagnetic storms are likely on March 25 and 26, with an experimental aurora viewline showing the southern extent of where the aurora might be seen stretches into southern Ontario.
According to the NOAA, a geomagnetic storm watch is in effect until from March 23 to 25.
To monitor the aurora forecast in the northern hemisphere click here.
“Solar wind speeds are likely to be in excess of 600 km/s and continue into 25 March, resulting in isolated G1 storm levels,” the agency said.
Correction
An earlier version showed the NOAA model forecast as upcoming. This has been changed to reflect it was Thursday nights forecast.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.