Scenes of the northern lights dancing across eastern Ont.
A powerful geomagnetic storm lit up the night sky on Friday and early Saturday morning, resulting in an incredible light show across eastern Ontario.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared Friday evening's rare event as a powerful G5 storm, or ‘extreme,’ geomagnetic storm, a level of severity last recorded in 2003.
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, is caused by coronal mass injections (CME's) from the sun that slam into the Earth's upper atmosphere. The Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles to the poles, creating the cinematic phenomenon.
Social media users across eastern Ontario shared photos of the event as skies began to clear in the early hours of Saturday morning. The light show was reportedly visible in the early hours of Saturday in the outer suburbs of Ottawa, including Kanata, Stittsville and Barrhaven.
Northern lights typically don't reach latitudes as far south as eastern and southern Ontario, with Friday night and Saturday morning's light show being a rare spectacle.
Cloudy skies across Ottawa in the late evening made viewing abilities difficult for those who wanted to see the event. Viewing capabilities are best in rural areas outside of cities, as light pollution brightens the sky.
Northern lights near Kemptville, Ont. (Craig McCormick/CTV Viewer)
Northern lights near Kemptville, Ont. (Craig McCormick/CTV Viewer)
The aurora borealis also coloured the skies across Canada and several countries around the world between Friday and Saturday night, in territories further south than usual, such as California, due to the geomagnetic storm.
Those hoping to catch the northern lights might have a chance on Saturday night. NOAA reported on Saturday that the storm will continue through at least Sunday.
Do you have a picture of the night sky? Send them to CTV News Ottawa.
With files from CTV News Toronto
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.