KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Residents in parts of East Tennessee reported seeing the vibrant colors of the Northern Lights Tuesday night.

Forecasters issued a severe G4 geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday, Nov. 11 and Wednesday, Nov. 12.

The alert comes after a coronal mass ejection, an eruption of solar material and magnetic fields from the Sun's surface, was set to hit Earth late Tuesday into Wednesday. Coronal mass ejections, known as CMEs, usually generate spectacular displays of aurora borealis in northern U.S. states.

G4-level watches are rare, with only four alerts issued so far this solar cycle, NOAA says.

Here's a look at photos submitted by viewers in our area.

Northern Lights in East TN (11/11)

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