PHOTO GALLERY: Northern lights seen across the Chicago area Friday night

northern lights Big Rock
Taken around 3:30am at Big Rock, IL Photo credit Laura Hohm

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago area witnesses a rare sight for this latitude, the northern lights.

This spectacular light show was possible because there were several ejections of charged material from the Sun in recent days, according to Michelle Nichols, the director of public observing at the Adler Planetarium.

She says when the particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, they can create what's known as the northern lights.

People around the Chicago area shared their photos of the northern lights display.

Joliet

northern lights Joliet
Gabe Herman took this photo from Joliet overnight Friday. Photo credit Gabe Herman

Schaumburg

Northern lights Schaumburg
Dan Lauer saw this view in Schaumburg around 8:45 p.m. Friday. Photo credit Dan Lauer

Big Rock

northern lights
Laura Hohm captured this image in Big Rock around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Photo credit Laura Hohm

Darien

northern lights Darien
James Binder saw the northern light at 3:45 a.m. Saturday in Darien. Photo credit James Binder

Palatine

Northern lights Palatine
Chad Drufke took this photo from Palatine at 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Photo credit Chad Drufke

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Laura Hohm