Solar storm causes ‘impossible,’ pumpkin-colored auroras to fill the sky

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There is nothing in Earth’s atmosphere that can produce the vibrant orange color of the auroras in this photo, which was taken Oct. 19 above a large pond in Alberta, Canada. (Image credit: Harlan Thomas)

A recent solar storm smashed into Earth and created what appeared to be bright pumpkin-colored pillars dancing in the night sky above Canada, a haunting new photo reveals. But there is a problem with the image: Orange-colored auroras should not exist. 

Instead of impossible auroras, the image actually captured a rare mix of red and green lights that hasn’t been this visible since a monstrous Halloween solar storm smashed into Earth 20 years ago, experts say.