Rare black anti-auroras create luminous E shape in Alaska sky

A rare E-shaped aurora was recently observed in southcentral Alaska, caused by black auroras, also known as anti-auroras. This phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun are expelled back into space, creating dark patches in the sky. The unusual light display was spotted by aurora hunter Todd Salat on November 22. It appeared suddenly and transformed quickly, showcasing a luminous 'E' shape with dark areas not typically seen in regular auroras. Anti-auroras, first identified in the late 1990s, disrupt the normal aurora process by removing charged particles from the atmosphere. Their appearance is linked to increased solar activity, which has made auroras more common recently.