As the November nights grow longer, an unexpected light show appeared in the sky above St. Louis. The northern lights, typically seen only farther north, shone brightly above Missouri and many other southern states, filling the horizon with the soft glow of pink and purple.

The lights appeared around 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, early enough for families across the area to catch a glimpse. For local students and sky watchers, it was a moment to remember. For sophomore Tyler Wilson, the timing made the event even more special. Wilson recalled heading outside that night, telescope in hand, hoping to experience this southern rarity. 

“I haven’t seen them in person, so it was very cool to see them this far down south,” Wilson said. “I was really surprised. It was very pink. It didn’t change much [in] color, but it was beautiful. I would definitely stay up late again to see them. It just felt peaceful and unreal.”

The aurora’s sudden appearance reminded many how mysterious and vast nature can be. 

“In a way, it changed things and my perspective of nature,” Wilson said. “It was out of the blue, and you can’t fully describe what happened.”

Astronomy teacher Sarah Johnson experienced the solar event for the first time last night. The excitement spread throughout the science department, as well.

“It’s one of my bucket list items, so I was pretty excited [to see the lights] last night,” Johnson said. “All the science teachers started texting each other pictures, and [Tim] Burkard even woke his kids up and made them go outside.” 

Behind the awe, there is a science behind the spectacle that is just as fascinating. 

“Right now, there’s a big solar storm that’s happening. The radiation being released by the sun excites ions in our atmosphere, and then they release their colors,” Johnson said.

If you missed the lights last night, they have a chance to return tonight with an even stronger intensity. You may look up at the sky tonight and experience the same feeling as Wilson did, caught off guard by the beauty of the unknown, reminded of just how vast and mysterious the world above us can be. 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you shouldn’t miss it,” Johnson said.