Why did skies light up pink over Metro Vancouver last night?

There was an eerie pinkish light in the sky visible from several parts of the Lower Mainland last night, and many people who stayed up late enough to see it took to social media to ask what it was.

It was visible to people in Richmond, New Westminster, and Surrey while looking south in the early hours of Monday morning.

Ok Twitter peeps – it’s 2am and the southern sky is red… who can explain it to this lovely pink sky to me?? Looking south – delta bc Canada 6 Nov 2023 – I’ve seen the videos of the red northern lights – but this is to the south – nothing unusual to the north (second video)! pic.twitter.com/TU8JXelHWf

— Pacificnorthwestkate (@pnwkate) November 6, 2023

I’m seeing it too!! Can’t figure it out! pic.twitter.com/hmdX8jI8de

— Shannon S. (@MizShannonS) November 6, 2023

This also from Alex Fraser 2:30 am pic.twitter.com/H1ssAmMBz4

— hani Azmarino (@haniazmarino) November 6, 2023

Delta police weighed in to put people’s worries to rest.

“When I tell you, you’ll be disappointed,” a communications officer posted from the force’s X account.

“Delta has some commercial greenhouse space producing marijuana. The ‘purple’ light is used in the greenhouses to help growing cycle. They get used rarely, but when they do, you get purple light pollution. Nothing exotic!”

When I tell you, you’ll be disappointed…. Delta has some commercial greenhouse space producing marijuana. The “purple” light is used in the greenhouses to help the growing cycle. They get used rarely, but when they do, you get purple light pollution. Nothing exotic!

— Delta Police Department (@deltapolice) November 6, 2023

“I was busy packing my bags for the mothership’s imminent arrival,” Kate Paton replied to the force.

Others thought the light may have been the northern lights, after blood-red skies were seen in Europe.