Your photos – and videos – of the dramatic, colorful (and rare) northern lights show over the High Desert

The aurora borealis -- the 'northern lights' -- don't shimmer their way south into the High Desert all that often, but they put on a vivid display for many skywatchers Thursday night, from Bend to Tumalo and Prineville, and several shared their photos with us - thanks!

The more vibrant display is thanks to what's called a "coronal hole" on the sun, which brought an electromagnetic storm of solar winds to the Earth.

In fact, Space.com reports Earth was hit with the strongest solar storm in nearly six years, catching forecasters by surprise and bringing auroras as far south as Colorado and New Mexico.