PITTSBURGH, Pa. (KDKA) – It was a stunning night over Western Pennsylvania as both the Northern Lights and the Perseid meteor shower were visible in the sky.
Northern Lights were sighted in numerous locations early Monday morning, including Washington County.
A viewer’s photos show the colorful sky as seen from Woodburn Road in Claysville.
Joshua Farabee
In Butler, other photos shared by the National Weather Service show both the Northern Lights and the Perseid meteor shower.
Why are the Northern Lights visible in the Pittsburgh area?
Technically speaking, the Northern Lights are an optical illusion.
They are created by the interaction of solar winds and magnetic rays in the upper atmosphere.
It is rare to see the Northern Lights so clearly so far south.
Most of the time you can be happy if it happens even once a year.
This is at least the second time that the lights were not only visible but CLEARLY visible on site this year.
What are the Perseid meteor showers?
The Perseids were named “the most beautiful meteor shower of the year” by NASA and rarely disappoint.
On nights with good observation opportunities, like the one we experienced last night, over 100 meteors can be seen per hour.
The Perseid meteor shower are caused by debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle.
The shower will be visible until September 1st, but today was the peak. It will be visible throughout August.
