Americans from the northern US and as far south as Alabama had the chance to witness the striking beams, spirals and flickers, which were amplified when a coronal mass ejection of plasma clouds and charged particles sent a geomagnetic storm towards Earth floated. The storm was so powerful that it prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to issue a rare G4 geomagnetic storm watch for the second time this year.

Because of the way the sun’s particles interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, the powerful outburst made the auroras visible and active even further toward the equator than normal.

Photos from across the US captured the dazzling spectacle.

And if you happen to miss it, fear not: there will be many more opportunities to catch the Northern Lights once the sun continues to reach the peak of its 11-year solar cycle.