KSAT Connect: South Central Texas viewers share their aurora borealis pictures

SAN ANTONIO – A geomagnetic storm is allowing some KSAT viewers to experience a rare weather event.

According to KSAT Meteorologist Adam Caskey, a strong release of plasma and magnetic energy from the sun — also known as a coronal mass ejection (CME) — made it to Earth on Thursday, October 10.

When CMEs interact with Earth’s atmosphere, a colorful aurora is created, known as the “northern lights” or aurora borealis.

While rarely seen with the naked eye in South-Central Texas, the northern lights is visible through smartphone cameras away from city lights. Smartphone cameras have sensitive equipment that can sometimes see the aurora when our eyes can’t.

Back in May, another geomagnetic storm made the northern lights possible in some parts of South Central Texas and the Hill Country.

KSAT viewers in and around the Hill Country snapped these pictures Thursday night and uploaded them to KSAT Connect.

Will you be able to see the northern lights Friday, October 11?

It’s not guaranteed, but depending on solar activity, it may be possible again to observe the northern lights Friday night -- especially away from city lights and using your phone camera. In northern parts of the U.S., it could be visible with the naked eye.

Not sure how to upload to KSAT Connect? Here is a guide to posting:

• Open the KSAT Weather Authority app OR visit the KSAT Connect web page. We recommend using the app for regular access to KSAT Connect!
• If you’re on the KSAT Weather Authority app, click the camera icon on the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen. You can also upload from the KSAT News app. Click here for instructions.
• Sign in or sign up for a FREE KSAT Insider (member) account by clicking the orange button with the text “Log in to Upload a Pin.”
• Once you’re signed in, you’ll click the orange button that now reads “Upload a Pin.”
• Click the blue button at the top to choose the photo or video you’d like to share.
• Select “Weather” as the channel and one category.
• Tell us about your photo or video by including a description.
• The last step: Click the orange button at the bottom to upload.

Read more from the meteorologists on the Whatever the Weather page

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