A rare sight took place in the skies on Monday, Nov. 11. The aurora borealis – or the northern lights – were visible from the suburbs in Missouri. The beautiful sights attracted attention from students and other citizens within the area. In the case you have questions about what exactly aurora borealis is, this is for you.

The northern lights are a natural display of light sent here from space, by the sun. These lights show in earth’s skies when charged particles from the sun, called the solar wind, collide with gases like oxygen, and nitrogen in Earth’s upper atmosphere. Due to these reactions, a wave of colorful streaks light up our night skies, around 10 times each year. A large geomagnetic storm made the lights visible in 12 states including Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Washington state. Northern lights were visible as far south as parts of Florida and Alabama.

These lights are often exclusively shown way northeast of America, but this time around they are shining even in the midwest. In Missouri, you can see the aurora borealis on Tuesday, November 11, and Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. After that, the lights will not show until further into the winter season.

Lauren Dobratz (10) notes that she plans to view the northern lights on Wednesday, with her three older brothers. She adds that she is excited to see them, and that she also saw the lights the last time they showed. The attention towards the alluring aurora borealis is no surprise, though. With their enchanting beauty and mysterious vibe, they naturally draw people in.

So, if you are around for the northern lights tonight, step outside and snap a picture. You can hangout with your friends to see them, go on a date with your partner, or just enjoy them in your own solitude. Happy watching!