If you were outside in New Jersey on Thursday night, October 10, you might've noticed something wild happening overhead. The sky turned a spectacular shade of purple, with streaks of pink and green, almost like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. This wasn't a filter on your phone camera or some elaborate light show - it was actually the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, making a rare appearance in the Garden State.

The stunning show in the sky was caused by a powerful solar storm that had been brewing for a few days. It all started when the sun released a coronal mass ejection (CME) on October 8. That's a huge burst of charged particles and magnetic fields that got blasted into space and happened to head straight for Earth. When those charged particles collided with our planet's magnetic field on Thursday, they triggered a geomagnetic storm, resulting in the brilliant light display known as the Northern Lights.

Now, the Northern Lights typically show up closer to the Arctic Circle, but thanks to the intensity of this solar storm, the colorful lights extended much farther south than usual. People across the northern U.S., including New Jersey, New York, and even states like Virginia, got to witness the auroras in shades of purple, pink, and green lighting up the night sky.

The color of the aurora depends on which gases in the atmosphere are being excited by the incoming charged particles. In this case, the dominant purple and pink hues came from nitrogen molecules being energized at higher altitudes. The display can also appear green when oxygen is involved, but New Jersey's sky was mostly bathed in those vivid purple tones on Thursday night.

If you missed the show, don't fret just yet. With the sun nearing its solar maximum, which happens every 11 years or so, we're in for more geomagnetic activity in the coming months. The peak of this solar cycle is expected between late 2024 and early 2026, meaning that the chances of spotting the Northern Lights at lower latitudes will be higher during this time.

As for tonight, there's still a possibility of catching the tail end of the solar storm. If conditions remain favorable, the auroras might be visible again, especially in places with minimal light pollution. The best time to look would be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., so grab a blanket, find a dark spot, and keep your eyes on the sky.

To maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, head to an area away from city lights. Even a little light pollution can dim the aurora's glow, so aim for somewhere dark and spacious. Let your eyes adjust for a few minutes, and if you don't spot any colors with the naked eye, try snapping a picture. Digital cameras and smartphones can often pick up the faint glow better than our eyes can.

So, whether you're a night owl or just love chasing rare celestial events, keep looking up. The universe has a few more surprises in store, and New Jersey's sky might just light up again before you know it.