Oh wow ! That is interesting because as far south as I live from where northern lights can usually be seen, I have never known anyone who said they ever saw them around here, yet once in the last couple of weeks, someone noticed "something" and the word got around fast and folks went out and captured some northern lights here, however, like you said, they didn't really show to the naked eye so much, niy their phone cameras picked up many and multiple colors. It was wild and interesting to see some of the photos the local folks captured.
Now I wonder how many times they were actually visible here and no on ever noticed.
Now I have downloaded an application that sends notifications if there is a chance to see the glow. Since we never had them at all, until last year. And now I will always be ready.)
And now I’m wondering - a photo that can be found on the Internet by searching for the northern lights - was it visible to the eye, or is it all a technique?