Lake Erie Aurora

The Northern Lights, (Aurora Borealis), are beautiful dancing ribbons of light that are created when energized particles from sun slams into Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph (72 million kph). Earth’s magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles (there are southern lights also) and the dramatic process transforms the particles into a cinematic atmospheric phenomenon that dazzles and fascinates scientists and sky watchers.

It’s very rare to see the Northern Lights where I live in Central Ohio. I have dreamed of traveling to see them but haven’t made the trip yet. But in 2024 I had the rare opportunity to see the Northern Lights in my home state - Ohio!! Not just once, but twice!!

This was my first experience with the aurora and it was so exciting! I was already heading to Lake Erie this day for the spring warbler migration and my aurora apps were going off all day with notifications that the aurora would be visible over Lake Erie that night. Once I arrived, I checked into my hotel and headed to one of the state parks. I could see the aurora outside my car window as I was trying to find a good location. When I finally stopped, I spent time running around a parking lot taking so many pictures!! It was such a magical night!