Late-night enthusiasts and amateur photographers in northeast Heilongjiang Province on the Chinese mainland were treated to an otherworldly display from June 1 into the early hours of June 2, when a rare pink and purple aurora lit up the sky.
Researchers say the spectacle was triggered by a powerful solar flare on May 31, which unleashed a geomagnetic storm—a global disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field caused by intense solar activity.
As charged particles streamed toward Earth, they collided with nitrogen molecules in the lower atmosphere, creating deep blues and violets. At the same time, oxygen atoms high above emitted red light; when these hues blended, they produced the dreamy pink and purple glow.
While auroras usually appear green or red, this pastel palette is rare, especially at these latitudes. For travelers, space enthusiasts, and digital nomads, the event was a stunning reminder of our planet’s delicate dance with the sun—and why skywatchers should stay tuned to space weather alerts.
This rare pastel aurora is a vivid illustration of how solar weather can transform our night sky in unexpected ways.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
