**Rare Northern Lights Dazzle East Texas Skies Amid Extreme Geomagnetic Storm**
**EAST TEXAS** – East Texans experienced a truly spectacular and rare celestial event last Friday, May 10th, as the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, painted the night sky with vibrant hues. The stunning display, typically only visible at much higher latitudes, was a result of an extreme geomagnetic storm impacting Earth.
Residents across the region reported widespread sightings, capturing breathtaking photographs of green, purple, and pink lights dancing above. The unusual visibility for East Texas was attributed to a G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm, which had escalated to an unprecedented G5 (extreme) watch beforehand – the first such watch issued since 2005. This intense solar activity pushed the aurora far south of its typical range.
Photos and eyewitness accounts flooded social media from communities spanning the breadth of East Texas. Enthusiastic viewers shared images from Longview, Whitehouse, Palestine, Carthage, and as far south as Jasper. Others in Tyler, Nacogdoches, Diana, and Lindale documented the phenomenon, with many noting the vivid colors observed. Even residents in Quitman, Crockett, and Henderson witnessed the memorable light show, describing the skies as "lit up."
The event left many East Texans in awe, recognizing the unique opportunity to witness the aurora from their own backyards. "It was just such a unique event for us," one resident commented, reflecting a common sentiment across the region. The widespread viewing and shared excitement created a buzz that continued throughout the weekend.
For a collection of submitted photos and more information on the geomagnetic storm, visit `www.EastTexasLocalNews.com` or search for local aurora hashtags on social media platforms.

