View photos of Aurora Borealis

Americans from as far north as the US and as far south as Alabama had the opportunity to witness the striking beams, spirals and flares that were amplified as a solar coronal mass ejection of plasma clouds and charged particles propelled a geomagnetic storm toward Earth. The storm was so powerful that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare G4-class geomagnetic storm watch for the second time this year.

Because of the way the sun's particles interact with Earth's magnetosphere, the powerful eruption made the auroras visible and active even further toward the equator than usual.

Photos from all over the USA captured the dazzling spectacle.

And if you missed it, fear not: As the sun continues to reach the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, there will be many more opportunities to capture the Northern Lights.