Elzein has been chasing auroras in Finland for 10 years. He prides himself on going out in all conditions–even when geomagnetic activity is nominally low. “I can’t recall ever seeing so much red on top of the green layer before,” he says.

In Tromsø, Norway, aurora tour guide Markus Varik had a similar experience..“Activity was extremely low on Oct 17 when pink and red colors appeared,” says Varik. “After years of guiding, I have never seen anything similar to this.”