A spectacular show lit up the sky Thursday night all across Maine and the northern half of the United States. We were treated to a wonderful show not seen too often even here in Maine. Also read: Gorgeous start to the weekend in Maine before wet weather returns So how exactly does the aurora form?

The aurora borealis was visible across much of the northern half of the United States and as far south as Alabama.

Thursday night the Northern Lights were visible in the Piedmont-Triad and put on a beautiful display! The Northern Lights can be seen when energy from the sun moves toward Earth and interacts with our magnetic field.