Above the serene expanse of the lake the sky corruscated with bands of light. The colors shifted fluidly—deep magenta and fiery red, fading swiftly through high-voltage violet to vibrant greens and calming blues. As the violent electric breath of the sun flowed through the atmosphere it wove shimmering tapestries that were mirrored perfectly in the glassy waters surrounding Wizard Island. From the rim of the crater nearly the entire surface of the lake was in view and it glowed, almost as bright as the sky, with auroral reflections. The still water also displayed the pinpoint lights of the stars, prominent among them Cassiopeia’s upside down throne below the island. The edge of the cliff was obscured by snow, twisted into bizarre shapes by the wind, and painted in vivid hues by the dueling pink and green emissions. I kept a respectful distance from the edge, wary of the deceptive stability of the cornices. Witnessing the most intense geomagnetic storm in decades unfold over Crater Lake was an incredible experience that will forever be etched in my memory.