Texas

Look north: Northern lights seen in Central Texas

October 11, 2024

  

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Did you look north? If so, you might have gotten a nice view of the northern lights outside city limits in Central Texas, which could be seen by multiple viewers on Thursday.

“If you go away from city lights, and point your phone cameras north with a longer exposure, you may pick up the northern lights in South-Central Texas,” the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio said on social media.

Some might even be able to see them with the naked eye!

A severe geomagnetic storm caused by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on the sun is responsible for this rare event.

Here are some photos from viewers across Central Texas.

  • Northern lights over the Pedernales River, near Hamilton Pool, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Victor Mata/VHMPhotography)
    Northern lights over the Pedernales River, near Hamilton Pool, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Victor Mata/VHMPhotography)
  • Northern lights over the Pedernales River, near Hamilton Pool, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Victor Mata/VHMPhotography)
    Northern lights over the Pedernales River, near Hamilton Pool, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Victor Mata/VHMPhotography)
  • Northern lights seen over Briggs, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Naitlyn Hicks Photography)
    Northern lights seen over Briggs, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Naitlyn Hicks Photography)
  • Northern lights seen over Briggs, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Naitlyn Hicks Photography)
    Northern lights seen over Briggs, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Naitlyn Hicks Photography)
  • Northern lights seen over Briggs, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Naitlyn Hicks Photography)
    Northern lights seen over Briggs, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Naitlyn Hicks Photography)
  • Northern lights seen in far southern Blanco County, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Brian Raczkowski)
    Northern lights seen in far southern Blanco County, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Brian Raczkowski)
  • Northern lights over Dripping Springs, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Fred Danze)
  • Northern lights seen from near Pedernales Falls State Park, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Jack Stanley)
  • Northern lights over Fredericksburg, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights over Fredericksburg, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights over Llano, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Janice Pruessner)
    Northern lights over Llano, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Janice Pruessner)
  • Northern lights over Llano, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Janice Pruessner)
    Northern lights over Llano, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Janice Pruessner)
  • Northern lights over Llano, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Janice Pruessner)
    Northern lights over Llano, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Janice Pruessner)
  • Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
    Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
  • Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
    Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
  • Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
    Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
  • Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
    Paramedics Lt. Wes Morrison and Scott Chick pose in front of the northern lights in Liberty Hill, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Nichola D. Morrison)
  • Northern lights seen from Buchanan Dam, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Lynnett Richards)
    Northern lights seen from Buchanan Dam, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Lynnett Richards)
  • Northern lights seen from Buchanan Dam, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Lynnett Richards)
    Northern lights seen from Buchanan Dam, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Lynnett Richards)
  • Northern lights seen from Willow City, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Elizabeth Bartolomei)
    Northern lights seen from Willow City, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Elizabeth Bartolomei)
  • Northern lights seen from Willow City, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Elizabeth Bartolomei)
    Northern lights seen from Willow City, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Elizabeth Bartolomei)
  • Northern lights seen from Lake Victor, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Mary Ellen Fariss)
    Northern lights seen from Lake Victor, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Mary Ellen Fariss)
  • Northern lights seen from Lake Victor, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Mary Ellen Fariss)
    Northern lights seen from Lake Victor, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Mary Ellen Fariss)
  • Northern lights seen from Lake Victor, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Mary Ellen Fariss)
    Northern lights seen from Lake Victor, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Mary Ellen Fariss)
  • Northern lights seen from Lake Victor, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Mary Ellen Fariss)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
    Northern lights over Serbin, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sharon Claxton)
  • Northern lights over Marble Falls, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Chris Huff)
    Northern lights over Marble Falls, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Chris Huff)
  • Northern lights seen from Willow City, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Elizabeth Bartolomei)
    Northern lights seen from Willow City, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Elizabeth Bartolomei)
  • Northern lights over Granger, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights over Granger, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights over Granger, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights over Granger, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights seen from Lost Creek, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Wanda Molinary Knipp)
    Northern lights seen from Lost Creek, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Wanda Molinary Knipp)
  • Northern lights seen from Lost Creek, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Wanda Molinary Knipp)
  • Northern lights seen from the south shore of Lake Buchanan, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights seen from the south shore of Lake Buchanan, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights seen from the south shore of Lake Buchanan, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights seen from the south shore of Lake Buchanan, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights seen in Rosanky, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Susan McClary)
    Northern lights seen in Rosanky, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Susan McClary)
  • Northern lights seen in Lampasas, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights seen in Lampasas, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights seen in Lampasas, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights seen in Lampasas, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights seen in Lampasas, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights seen in Lampasas, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • A plane flies through the sky as the northern lights are seen from Leander, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy David Dow)
    A plane flies through the sky as the northern lights are seen from Leander, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy David Dow)
  • Northern lights seen over Leesville, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Matthew Vandervoort)
    Northern lights seen over Leesville, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Matthew Vandervoort)
  • Northern lights seen over Leesville, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Matthew Vandervoort)
    Northern lights seen over Leesville, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Matthew Vandervoort)
  • Northern lights seen over Fredericksburg, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Kristie Pressler)
    Northern lights seen over Fredericksburg, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Kristie Pressler)
  • Northern lights seen over Fredericksburg, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Kristie Pressler)
    Northern lights seen over Fredericksburg, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Kristie Pressler)
  • Northern lights over Georgetown, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Andrea Halbach)
    Northern lights over Georgetown, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Andrea Halbach)
  • Northern lights over Georgetown, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Andrea Halbach)
    Northern lights over Georgetown, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Andrea Halbach)
  • Northern lights over Lincoln, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
    Northern lights over Lincoln, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)
  • Northern lights seen from Salado, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Araceli Urquiza)
    Northern lights seen from Salado, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Araceli Urquiza)
  • Northern lights seen from Salado, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Araceli Urquiza)
    Northern lights seen from Salado, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Araceli Urquiza)
  • Northern lights seen from Salado, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Araceli Urquiza)
    Northern lights seen from Salado, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Araceli Urquiza)

Austin resident Sara Holland sent in these photos of the northern lights seen from Big Bend National Park.

  • Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)
    Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)
  • Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)
    Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)
  • Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)
    Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)
  • Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)
    Northern lights seen from Terlingua, Texas, near Big Bend National Park, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Courtesy Sara Holland)

NWS also captured a five-minute time-lapse of the northern lights viewable from the Austin/San Antonio office.

Do you have any photos of the northern lights? If so, email them to ReportIt@kxan.com.