See stunning photos of the northern lights over Arizona

A photo of the northern lights outside of Eagar in northeastern Arizona. Robert Ray/R&M Photography

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "leaderboardInlineContent",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "tower",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]

Local skywatchers were treated to a colorful spectacle in the nighttime skies on Friday evening when the northern lights were visible over Arizona.

The rare sight was triggered by the largest geomagnetic storm in almost two decades, allowing the astronomical phenomenon — typically visible only in the Earth's northern regions — to be seen by most of the U.S.

Across Arizona, residents witnessed vibrant shades of pink, red and imperial violet illuminating the nighttime sky as magnetically charged solar particles that erupted from the Sun on Thursday interacted with Earth’s atmosphere.

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, were a stunning spectacle that amazed the Arizonans who witnessed it.

Some were able to view it with the naked eye. Others used cameras or smartphones to capture the phenomenon. Many were astounded by the fact they could view the phenomenon as far south as Arizona.

click to enlarge

A photo of the northern lights over Biosphere 2 in Oracle.

Marshall Shore

Arizona historian Marshall Shore had the opportunity to witness the northern lights in the skies over Biosphere 2 in Oracle, where he's attending this year's Analog Astronaut Conference, and described it as "shocking.”

“We took photos of Biosphere 2 and were surprised by the purple,” Shore says. “(It was) invisible to the naked eye, but vibrant on camera.”

Danielle Adams, a cultural astronomer in Flagstaff, told Phoenix New Times via X (formerly known as Twitter) that she had a "visceral appreciation" for witnessing the "beautiful celestial sight" of the aurora borealis.

We have the northern lights in Flagstaff Arizona, latitude 35N. @AuroraNotify @NWSFlagstaff @kaffnews @LowellObs @azds @spacewxwatch pic.twitter.com/qV6Cl14Ssx

— Danielle Adams (@solarmoons) May 11, 2024

Adams says it was even more impressive than when the phenomenon last appeared over Arizona in April 2023.

“Last year people, including me, were going nuts about being able to see the aurora at all here in Arizona, even if very low on the northern horizon,” she says. “(This time), however, was an entirely different story. It’s truly amazing!”

Robert Ray, a professional photographer in the northeastern Arizona town of Eagar, had similar feelings about Friday night’s appearance by the aurora borealis.

click to enlarge

A photo of the northern lights by Robert Ray outside of Eagar in northeastern Arizona.

Robert Ray/R&M Photography

“I didn’t realize how strong the northern lights would be this time,” Ray wrote. “Last April … you could only see them with the camera. However, this time they were visible to the naked eye. It was another amazing experience that I will never forget!”

Here are videos and more photos of Friday night’s appearance by the northern lights over Arizona. 

click to enlarge

A photo of the northern lights and the Milky Way over the Superstition Mountains.

William Donnay

click to enlarge

A view of the northern lights from outside of Show Low.

Patricia Erickson

click to enlarge

An aerial photo of the northern lights by Arizona resident Christian Flores while flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Friday.

Christian Flores

click to enlarge

The northern lights painted the skies over Forest Lakes an imperial violet.

Chelsea Micael

Northern lights from Overgaard Arizona #Auroraborealis pic.twitter.com/W6KH1nOHlD

— Gwendlyn ⭐️⭐️⭐️🇺🇸 (@MAGAGwenAZ) May 11, 2024

The colors are still amazing!!!! 11:30in San Tan Valley, AZ AND the “storm” is still going!!! @NWSPhoenix #Auroraborealis #northernlights #azwx #geomagneticstorm #arizona pic.twitter.com/SPwDnjmz4p

— Aaron kluth (@Aaronkluth) May 11, 2024

Northern Lights in Phoenix, Arizona ‼️🌵🏜️ pic.twitter.com/5KTkMOqZrA

— Justin 🦬🇺🇸 (@justinshanley) May 11, 2024

Northern Lights in Arizona! #Auroraborealis #NorthernLights #arizona pic.twitter.com/nY8roNxw2M

— nikki (@dakotanikaz) May 11, 2024

Last night #AuroraBorealis as seen from @KittPeakNatObs in Southern Arizona. @NOIRLabAstro @NOIRLabAstroES pic.twitter.com/FkOVbf3uFw

— Jesus Higuera (@AstroHiguera) May 11, 2024

Aurora Borealis captured in Saguaro NP West, near Tucson AZ. @whatsuptucson hope more people can enjoy the show!

I will post some time lapse after some sleep. #Auroraborealis #northenlights #Tucson #Arizona pic.twitter.com/SwSuLB6eNm

— Jianwei Lyu (@astroskii77) May 11, 2024

"Look at the lines!" an unknown neighbor somewhere behind me shouted to her friends/family, who were apparently having an aurora watch party.

Cottonwood, Arizona (last photo nearer to Sedona)#aurora #AuroraBorealis #Arizona #AZ #AZWx pic.twitter.com/8yNidKbcc0

— Them Dash (@M_Montayne) May 11, 2024

Northern Lights from Arizona. Can't see it with the naked eye but the camera did a good job! pic.twitter.com/8UGz6nNqVu

— Laura 🦋🎨 (@LaurasCraftyLif) May 11, 2024

I’ve now seen the northern lights in Alaska, Iceland, and ARIZONA?!?!? pic.twitter.com/Cs8xQWTS2m

— Amber Whitlow (@amberl818) May 11, 2024

Who woulda thought the Aurora Borealis would come to the Sonoran desert in Tucson, Arizona #aurora #AuroraBorealis #northenlights pic.twitter.com/nuorHeDtep

— i swear to god (@letmefuckinstay) May 11, 2024