Stunning Aurora Captured During Strongest Geomagnetic Storm in 20 Years

A photographer captured stunning timelapse footage of the aurora australis in Evandale, Tasmania, on Saturday, May 11, during what the Australian Bureau of Meteorology https://www.facebook.com/bureauofmeteorology/posts/pfbid02ATopYQAoyXFL7qSc69iVaMweENa7FZdv7aXj2oGvNSxyMQHwZ6yhsDDLF1pFZAAxl called the strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years. The Bureau of Meteorology https://www.facebook.com/bureauofmeteorology/posts/pfbid02ATopYQAoyXFL7qSc69iVaMweENa7FZdv7aXj2oGvNSxyMQHwZ6yhsDDLF1pFZAAxl said that a G5-level, or extreme, geomagnetic storm was occurring "across the planet" for the first time since October 2003. Bright auroras were visible in most of southern Australia due to the geomagnetic storm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. In the northern hemisphere, the aurora borealis was also being seen at lower-than-usual latitudes. This footage was captured by Ben Swanson, who told Storyful that the vibrant display was so large that it could be seen "from almost all directions and even directly overhead." "It's definitely the best display I have ever seen and one I will never forget," Swanson said. (Footage by Ben Swanson/Storyful via Getty Images UGC)