SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A geomagnetic storm created a light show from space Thursday, with the aurora borealis illuminating the sky right here in San Diego County. Also known as the northern lights, this celestial display occurs in the northern hemisphere when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth's atmosphere. To explain this much sought after phenomenon further, when a geomagnetic storm occurs there's a systematic exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding the planet in which we call home.  Northern lights over California: Cameras capture rare auroras According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, these geomagnetic storms can cause the appearance of Aurora. This is the name given to the glow or light produced when electrons from space flow down earth’s magnetic field and collide with atoms and molecules of the upper atmosphere. Fun fact: The word Aurora was first used by astronomer and physicist Galileo. It comes from Latin and is the name of "the goddess of dawn." Here's some captures of the aurora borealis taken from San Diego County Thursday: Mount Laguna Northern lights seen at Mount Laguna on Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Evgeny Yorobe) Northern lights seen at Mount Laguna on Wed., Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Martin Jordan) Northern lights seen at Mount Laguna Observatory on Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Phil Dykstra) Lake Henshaw Northern lights seen at Lake Henshaw on Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Rod Lagace) Borrego Springs Northern lights seen at at Anza Borrego-Galleta Meadows Sculptures Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Kim DeCrew)Northern lights seen at at Anza Borrego-Galleta Meadows Sculptures Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Kim DeCrew)Northern lights seen at at Anza Borrego-Galleta Meadows Sculptures Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Kim DeCrew) Valley Center Northern lights seen at Valley Center on Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: Cruz Perez) Campo Northern lights seen at Farm Animal Refuge in Campo on Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: John Russo) With a Geomagnetic Storm Watch in effect through Friday, according to the National Weather Service, there may be another chance to see the northern lights throughout the region.