NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Residents all over the state saw something special Friday night: the northern lights.

For hundreds of years, the display known as “aurora borealis” has been taking place near Earth’s poles. The sun’s activity has a direct impact on when the northern lights appear.

On Friday night, many Americans could witness the lights for themselves, including New Mexicans. See viewer-submitted photos below.

Continental Divide and I-40 by Eric J.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/444QzxkBqpR5u2I78e8I.g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/96b8dff09d8005d6275ebd9c5987fd08″ class=”caas-img”/>

Near Twin Lakes by Ash B.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eoP0FMxw8HYETompiY3j6g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/89259a6ef565f2f959c10d899ab5838d” class=”caas-img”/>

Near Twin Lakes by Ash B.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yGTh.QSJTRkg29QXJWa_vw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/9d0da17b5fb7dbde8a779f3381b638be” class=”caas-img”/>

Will Americans see the northern lights again Saturday night?

Near Tohatchi by Ash B.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/S_Zvbd07LrCC95nSEQRq9g–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY3OQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/5a1627fe53cddeb7c57933a0c1a628d6″ class=”caas-img”/>

Near Silver City by Carson Klemp (@New.Michigo)

Sky near Dulce, New Mexico by Josue A.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6oDWUwX4ctO_uxtY9zPWDw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQ0OA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/517cd6acf48e77855bd6f81b89e4379c” class=”caas-img”/>

Picture taken near Edgewood by Richard A.” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aYXFCZGNN9wQtY.Y.Kz7cQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/7c364cd278a7afa22b07408d187fe7ab” class=”caas-img”/>

Photo by Dwight Zier ” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mcPqEZXWCttEZVJ_5X8APA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcxOQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/39faa4e95ab4f68fad24a0982c846da7″ class=”caas-img”/>

Photo by Dwight Zier ” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pWn1aql73JNVvMpNeqGSMg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/94079c221aabd24de16d7e81684f0800″ class=”caas-img”/>

Photo by Dwight Zier ” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KK0hMXWjaL6tSA9rdKdmnA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTQ0Mw–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/b4be7133b6bee63d9d19794ce4e96b85″ class=”caas-img”/>

Near Pojoaque by Dwight Zier (@losvagabonder)” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FtgzVjKbf.Xq9av4G8g8vw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/krqe_albuquerque_articles_976/97b75d3e3f433b3f7526a7435f86947a” class=”caas-img”/>

Views of the northern lights from around the US

Photos taken near Albuquerque by Molly W.

To see the forecast from NOAA, click here.

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