Earth's magnetic field was struck by a "severe" solar storm Monday (Jan. 19), triggering vibrant auroras in the U.S. and large parts of Europe. The storm broke a record that had stood for more than two decades.

"This is the largest solar radiation storm in over 20 years," the Space Weather Prediction Center said on Monday.

A solar radiation storm stronger than one we’ve seen in over two decades is in progress, the Space Weather Prediction Center announced Monday.

Aurora alert! The colossal solar storm could impact and trigger impressive northern lights.

The storm is also responsible for pushing the aurora farther south, giving some people across the southern U.S. a rare chance to see the northern lights.

The storm could also impact power systems and spacecraft operations.

Chances of spotting the northern lights linger into Tuesday night after a major solar storm

The massive sunspot that sparked an "extreme" geomagnetic storm in May 2024 unleashed hundreds of other dangerous solar flares, including a hidden X-class outburst, a new paper reveals. The study sets a record for the longest continuous observation of a single active region on our home star.

Powerful solar storm causes GPS disruptions & stunning auroras. Learn about the impact of solar radiation storms on technology and aviation.