Northern Lights seen over Ottawa, eastern Ontario

Northern lights overhead in Dunrobin on March 23, 2023. (Christopher Illidge/CTV Viewer)

Ottawa and eastern Ontario residents who looked to the sky Thursday night were treated with a rare sight.

Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, made a rare appearance, with residents across Ontario treated to the stunning effect.

The Northern Lights normally aren't visible this far south.

According to The Weather Network, the display is due to a gigantic gap in the solar atmosphere, which emits a much stronger than usual solar wind. As that solar wind sweeps past earth, its charged particles cause a disturbance in the planet's geomagnetic field.

With clear skies Friday night, another viewing might be possible.