NORTHERN LIGHTS IN KINGFISHER COUNTY

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHTTIME SKY – Much of Kingfi sher County was captivated last Friday evening as a rare solar storm in the Northern Hemisphere caused a phenomenon that was visible in places not usually possible - such as Oklahoma. It’s technically called aurora borealis, but is most commonly referred to as “the northern lights.” The solar storm happens due to molecular collisions in the upper levels of the earth’s atmosphere, causing bursts of energy to be released in the form of visible light. That’s not uncommon. What is atypical is being able to see it in Oklahoma. “The intensity and strength of the solar storm from the sun is why we were able to see the lights,” said Damien Lodes, a meteorologist for KFOR-TV, who was born in Kingfi sher. “Most solar storms that create northern lights are too weak to see them in Oklahoma.” That wasn’t the case Friday night. Slightly visible to the naked eye, the vibrant colors were captured more so through the use of a camera. Pictured above left is a photo submitted to the Times & Free Press Facebook page by Mindy Kleckner as she was facing north in Loyal. On the right is a photo taken by Donna Baustert in Okarche. Lodes said there’s an explanation for the colors. “The interesting thing is, as you go farther south, the northern lights transition from green and blue like we usually see in pictures to the pink and purple we saw in Oklahoma,” Lodes said. “This happens because the atmosphere scatters more light as you get closer to the equator.” The opportunity to see such a phenomenon this far south doesn’t happen too often, Lodes offered. “It’s very rare. Once every decade-plus maybe,” he said. “But it’s been a long time since we’ve seen them this vivid.” There are other factors that play into it. “Urban expansion and urban light pollution only make it harder to see them, too,” Lodes said. [Photos provided]