Cosmic Spectacle: Auroras and Meteor Shower Visible Across Multiple Continents

A striking celestial event unfolded across the Northern Hemisphere on the nights of September 9 and 10, 2025, as a minor geomagnetic storm triggered vivid auroras while the annual September Epsilon Perseids meteor shower reached its peak. The spectacle was visible from North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, drawing skywatchers outdoors despite the interference of a bright waning gibbous Moon.

The auroral activity was driven by a high-speed solar wind stream emanating from a coronal hole on the Sun, resulting in a G1–G2 class geomagnetic storm. According to the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center, this storm was not initially forecast, but the so-called Russell-McPherron effect—an equinoctial phenomenon where the Sun’s and Earth’s magnetic fields align—sparked the surprise display. Observers in high-latitude regions, including Alaska and Scandinavia, reported vibrant green and purple lights dancing across the sky, with some capturing the auroras above iconic landmarks such as the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

"I saw the auroras tap dancing through the stars of Ursa Major and above the 800-mile-long petroleum Trans-Alaska Pipeline System outside of Delta Junction, Alaska," wrote photographer Todd Salat, who documented the event. Experts noted that such geomagnetic storms can induce electrical currents in long metal structures, potentially accelerating corrosion in infrastructure like pipelines.

Simultaneously, the September Epsilon Perseids meteor shower peaked around 8 a.m. EDT (12:00 GMT) on September 9. While this shower is far less prolific than August’s famous Perseids, it still offered a handful of shooting stars—typically 3–5 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. The radiant, located in the constellation Perseus, was best positioned for viewing in the predawn hours, though the bright moonlight significantly reduced the number of visible meteors. The American Meteor Society advised that the best chance to spot meteors was during the brief window after dusk and before moonrise, when the sky was darkest.

Despite the challenges posed by lunar glare, some observers reported seeing bright fireballs streaking across the sky. The meteors, remnants of an unidentified comet, burned up at altitudes of 70–100 kilometers, creating fleeting flashes of light. The shower remains active until September 21, but rates will continue to decline in the coming nights.

Adding to the cosmic tableau, a planetary alignment featured Saturn shining at its brightest for the year, Jupiter rising around midnight, and Venus dominating the eastern sky before dawn. Mars and Mercury, however, remained largely out of view.

Auroras Sparked by Surprise Solar Storm

The geomagnetic storm responsible for the auroras was unexpected, highlighting the unpredictability of space weather during the equinox. The Russell-McPherron effect, which enhances the connection between the Sun’s and Earth’s magnetic fields, played a key role in the event. As a result, auroras extended farther south than usual, delighting skywatchers in regions that rarely see the Northern Lights.

Meteor Shower and Planetary Parade

The September Epsilon Perseids, though minor, provided a rare opportunity for meteor enthusiasts, especially when combined with the ongoing planetary parade. The bright Moon limited the spectacle, but the event still underscored the dynamic and interconnected nature of celestial phenomena. Astronomers remind the public that the next notable meteor shower, the Draconids, will occur in early October, followed by the Orionids later in the month.