The northern lights illuminate Asheville (again)

The natural light show danced its way across Asheville skies for the second time in a month.

View of the Northern Lights over Asheville

The skies glowed pink on the night of March 23, the first sighting of the northern lights in Asheville.

It’s a rare phenomenon to see the aurora borealis as far south as Asheville. But it’s even more rare to see it appear twice in one month.

Late Sunday night, the sparkling sky was painted in shades of pink that could nearly be missed by the naked eye. The aurora borealis are more commonly seen in Iceland, Canada, and parts of Alaska. But a severe geomagnetic storm brought these ethereal views right to our backyard.

How does it work?
In layman’s terms, charged particles from the sun’s atmosphere collide with gas from the earth’s atmosphere. This collision produces colorful flashes of light, with color changes caused by the types of gas particles colliding.

Did you catch a glimpse of the northern lights shining over Asheville? We’d love to see your photos. Share them with us here.

More from AVLtoday
Dip your toes into “phillumeny,” aka the practice of collecting matchbooks, while you explore Asheville and support local businesses at the same time.
The group behind Gan Shan, Jettie Rae’s, and Vinnie’s is setting out to capture the magic of NY’s Mott Street with its fourth concept, The Majestic.
A Weaverville company stitches itself into the history of space travel, while a historic former NASA facility in Rosman returns to its original mission 60 years later.
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Asheville’s many beautiful patios.
Chef Montgomery Taylor of Montgomery Sky Farm and Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group pushed past the semifinalist round for the accolades.
Mezze, wraps, and Mediterranean favorites are spicing up the lineup at the historic food hall.
Three Asheville exhibitions are showcasing craft, light, and Impressionist landscapes in fresh perspective this spring.
Put down the tech and pick up one of these hands-on hobbies by joining a local club or class.
Asheville restaurants, cafes, and diners serving up all the eggs, pancakes, shakshuka, mimosas, and other brunch favorites that will start your day off right.
New ArtsAVL-backed studies show a $436M economic impact, but a leaner, more independent workforce is reshaping how the region’s music economy operates.