Northern Lights at SU: The Aurora Brightens Up Salisbury

A landscape shot of the Aurora Borealis. Image courtesy of Rustin Newbold.

On October 10th, 2024, a strong geomagnetic storm brought the magic of the northern lights right to Salisbury University! From dusk to early dawn, the skies above campus were secretly painted in shimmering greens, purples, and reds as the aurora borealis made a breathtaking appearance far south of its usual home.

As news of the unexpected light show spread, many students gathered on the university’s lawns or drove out to see the show; Quantico, MD, being one of those low-light pollution hotspots. The rare sight of the aurora in Maryland drew out many amateur photographers, stargazers, and those just curious to witness something so extraordinary.

With smartphones and cameras in hand, many tried to capture the surreal colors illuminating the night. The rare southern appearance of the aurora was caused by heightened solar activity, sending charged particles cascading through Earth’s magnetic field, and creating a dazzling spectacle usually reserved for regions near the Arctic Circle. For those at Salisbury University, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience they would likely never forget.

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A portrait shot of the Aurora Borealis as seen from Quantico, MD. Image courtesy of Rustin Newbold.

An additional landscape shot of the Aurora Borealis. Image courtesy of Rustin Newbold.

A landscape shot of the Aurora Borealis, facing north. Image courtesy of Rustin Newbold.

A portrait shot of the Aurora Borealis, facing towards Salisbury, MD. Image courtesy of Rustin Newbold.

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By RUSTIN NEWBOLD

Photographer

Featured Images courtesy of Rustin Newbold