Metro East Illinois Residents Capture Stunning Aurora Photos
Local photographers shared images of the Northern Lights seen in Godfrey, Jersey County, and Carrollton, highlighting community fascination with the rare display.
ALTON - Auroras may be visible from Alaska to Maine on Thursday night, Nov. 13, 2025, as geomagnetic storm conditions continue, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are expected to be visible across parts of the northern United States on Nov. 13, 2025, as charged particles from recent solar eruptions interact with Earth’s atmosphere. These interactions create colorful waves of light that can be seen dancing in the night sky.
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Minor to strong geomagnetic storm conditions, ranging from G1 to G3 on the NOAA scale, are forecast to persist throughout Thursday evening. A G3 storm watch remains in effect, with a gradual return to quieter space weather anticipated by Friday, according to the U.K. Met Office.
In the Metro East Illinois region, viewing conditions on Wednesday night were less favorable compared to the previous evening. Many residents submitted photos of the auroras after Nov. 11, including notable images from Jim Bensman at LaVista Park in Godfrey and Amy Twitchell, who captured the lights on her birthday in Jersey County from 10:22 to 11:01 p.m. Another submission from a Godfrey neighborhood was also highlighted.
Amy Wozniak traveled to the farm country near Carrollton for what she described as “the best views away from city light,” underscoring the importance of dark skies for optimal aurora viewing.
The Northern Lights may still be visible late Thursday into early Friday as lingering effects from solar activity continue to ripple through Earth’s magnetic field.
If you have a Northern Lights photo or photos, e-mail them to news@riverbender.com.
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