Manitobans dazzled by northern lights dancing in sky
Manitobans were treated to a stunning display of the northern lights on Thursday night, as the sky was lit up with swirls of green.
From Beausejour to Portage la Prairie to Riverton, Manitobans from all around the province caught a glimpse of the spectacular display of lights.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it was the effects of an “Earth facing” coronal hole – a large gap in the solar atmosphere – that caused the bright display of the northern lights in Canada on Thursday night and Friday morning.
Though this phenomenon is mostly spotted in the Northwest Territories and the Prairie provinces, the northern lights were seen around Canada on Thursday, including making an appearance in southern Ontario.
Marnie Beaulieu saw the lights from her backyard in Oakbank.
"I was sitting watching TV at night and we have a big window behind us and I noticed I could see them quite clearly," Beaulieu said. “I'm really blessed to be out here in the country to be able to capture these kind of things.”
Jennifer Zacharias got a chance to snap pictures at Duff Roblin Park.
"Last night was amazing,” Zacharias said. “I've never seen them like that before. There was a lot of colours in them from reds, purples and green and they were just tracking across the sky. It was absolutely beautiful."
It's not the first time she's seen the lights, and it won't be the last.
Justin Anderson, an aurora chaser and photographer with his company High Hopes Aurora, says Thursday night's lights were very strong, reaching an eight on the KP scale, measuring activity.
"We are going to get more and more of them as we push into solar maximum which is coming in the next couple of years as activity's going to ramp up and become more frequent,” Anderson said. “It’s a great time to be an aurora chaser."
Anderson's encouraging people to check the lights out when they appear.
"Phones these days can pick up really good northern lights. When they are weak, you might not be able to get very good of a photo. When they are going strong, you can get some really good photos."
- With files from CTV London’s Kristylee Varley.
The Northern Lights seen from a home in north Winnipeg on March 23, 2023. (Source: Krystelle Capulong)
The Northern Lights in Beausejour on March 23, 2023.
The Northern Lights in Beausejour on March 23, 2023.
The Northern Lights seen just north of Riverton on March 23, 2023. (Source: Jason Hudson)
The Northern Lights seen just north of Riverton on March 23, 2023. (Source: Jason Hudson)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.