Why We Saw the Aurora Borealis In Texas

Yes, indeed, we did. From May 10 to May 11, 2024, Alabama, Arizona, and Texas witnessed the aurora borealis, an extremely rare sight in the southern U.S. A powerful geomagnetic storm was responsible for this historic phenomenon. It was seen in many areas around the world typically not available outside the Arctic and Antarctica regions. 

At first, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rated this aurora borealis a G-2 storm and later upgraded it to a G5 storm. A G-2 storm is moderate, and a G-5 is severe in intensity. NOAA rates geomagnetic storms on a scale from G-1 to G-5. G-1 is the weakest rating, and G-5 is the strongest. (G = geomagnetic)

What Is A G-Storm?

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) reported that this G-storm was the strongest in over 20 years. And it was visible in parts of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Mexico, and more. This massive storm on the sun sent explosions of solar particles towards the earth. 

G-storms generate photon energy. Photon energy is a process where atoms and molecules existing in the earth’s upper atmosphere release photons of light. Photons of light are particles that carry electromagnetic energy and create all visible light. Photons are the tiniest possible fragments of light and electromagnetic energy. They have no mass or electric charge, so they travel at the speed of light. 

Can I See the Northern Lights from Texas?

Usually, Texans cannot see the northern lights. The May 10 to May 11, 2024, G-5 storm was visible in many parts of Texas. The best times to see the aurora borealis was between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The most effective places to see it was away from city lights. 

Was the Aurora Visible in Dallas?

There are no credible reports that this aurora borealis was visible in Dallas. Cities north of Dallas were treated to its sight. It could be that the DFW metroplex was too lit up to be able to view it. Residents of the South Plains, the Panhandle and West Texas had the best views of the May 10 to May 11, 2024, northern lights. 

Why the Northern Lights Are Named the Aurora Borealis?

The aurora borealis and the aurora australis present a mystical dawnish-type of light show in the sky. They are usually seen only in the earth’s extreme north and south poles. The aurora borealis is visible in the Arctic region and the aurora australis appears in Antarctica, where they are respectively named the northern lights and the southern lights. 

Either French scientist Pierre Gassendi in 1621 or Galileo Galilei in 1619 is responsible for the name of the northern lights. During a voyage to Antarctica in the late 17th century. Captain James Cook named the southern lights the aurora australis. It appears that Captain Cook followed Galileo’s classification. “Aurora” comes from the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora.

Aurora traveled east to west, announcing the sun’s emergence each day. “Borealis” comes from Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind. “Australis” originates from Auster, the Roman god of the south wind. Greeks used the term “Eos” meaning dawn to refer to dawn’s color plays in our skies and “Notus”, which translates to south.