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Northern lights paint spectacular picture in Nova Scotia sky

The northern lights made a rare appearance across Nova Scotia and most of Atlantic Canada on Friday night. Normally restricted to more northern regions, the phenomenon could be seen in the skies across Canada on Friday.

Recent solar activity leads to unusual sighting for area

CBC News ·
Northern lights are seen with silhouettes of houses in teh foreground.
The northern lights could be seen in East Gore, N.S. (Melissa Friedman)

The northern lights made a rare appearance across Nova Scotia and most of Atlantic Canada on Friday night.

Normally restricted to more northern regions, the phenomenon could be seen in the  skies across Canada on Friday.

According to the U.S.-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the northern lights could be seen as far south as Alabama and northern California.

The unusual appearance was caused by recent increased solar activity.

A silhouette of a donkey is seen with the northern lights in the background.
The northern lights silhouette a donkey in East Hants. (Niels Kouwenberg)

Charged particles from the sun interact with the earth's magnetic field and cause molecules in the upper atmosphere to create fluttering curtains of light.

Green hued northern lights with trees in the foreground
The aurora borealis was on display in the Annapolis Valley. (Christa Mindrum)

People across the province took to social media to share their photos of the northern lights in their community.

Purple-hued northern lights with trees in the foreground.
Purple light fills the sky in the Annapolis Valley. (Christa Mindrum)
A church is seen in the foreground with northern lights illuminating the sky behind.
The northern lights illuminate a church in East Hants. (Tina Walker-Morgan )
A lit house in the foreground with northern lights behind.
The aurora borealis brightens the night sky in Hillside Boularderie. (Chris Budden)
Trees silhouettes in the foreground with northern lights in the sky behind.
The aurora borealis lights up some trees in Hillside Boularderie. (Chris Budden)
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