After the incredible aurora borealis in Virginia on November 11 (a rare G4 storm), I headed back to the same spot near Toano on the 12th. The forecast had dropped to G3, so I didn’t expect much, but the sky had one last surprise.
What I Saw
Around 10 PM a faint green arc appeared. Then, for about 20 minutes, a beautiful aurora substorm flared up. Soft pink, purple, and red waves danced low on the horizon while the Milky Way stayed bright overhead. I captured this 6-panel mosaic with my Sony A7S III and Samyang 24 mm f/1.8 — the reflection in the reservoir made it magical.
How It Compared to November 11
| November 11 (G4 storm) | November 12 (G3 + substorm) |
|---|---|
| Bright reds visible to naked eye | Fainter, mostly camera-only |
| Strong pillars all night | Short 20-minute burst |
| Filled half the sky | Lower on the horizon |
Still, the colors on the 12th were gorgeous — just subtler and more intimate.
We’re still in solar maximum, so more chances for aurora borealis in Virginia are coming in 2026. Keep an eye on the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.