The impact of solar flares has caused a geomagnetic storm in Japan. An observatory in Hokkaido, northern Japan, says aurorae were visible to the naked eye.
Images taken by Nayoro City’s Kitasubaru observatory shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Friday show the northern sky tinged with red.
Aurorae in the Arctic and Antarctic circles look blue and green. But the Northern Lights observed in Hokkaido were faint red as they took place at a lower latitude.
This is the first time aurorae were seen with the naked eye in Hokkaido since the night of August 12, when the Northern Lights and a meteor shower were sighted simultaneously.
On Friday morning, people reported sightings of the Northern Lights on social media.
The observatory says solar activity is intensifying now and is expected to continue next year, and there could be more opportunities to see the lights.