Pilot Snaps Incredible Northern Lights Stretching to Southern California
Pilot Snaps Incredible Northern Lights Stretching to Southern California
US · Published Jan 22, 2026
Airline pilot Matt Melnyk photographed Northern Lights stretching to Southern California from 37,000 feet over Manitoba.
The aurora display was caused by a powerful solar flare and coronal mass ejection, creating vivid colors in the sky.
This rare event allowed residents of Southern California to witness the aurora borealis, typically seen at higher latitudes.
Pilot captures auroras as far south
An airline pilot, Matt Melnyk, recently captured an extraordinary display of the Northern Lights stretching as far south as Southern California. From 37,000 feet above northern Manitoba, during a flight from Calgary to London, Melnyk witnessed and photographed the stunning auroras. This spectacular event was triggered by a powerful solar flare and coronal mass ejection, which sent charged particles hurtling towards Earth.
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