After a violent solar flare, there is hope of seeing the northern lights over Germany in the coming days. How to watch the aurora borealis and what to expect.
Frankfurt – The sun is the celestial body that provides the right temperature and the right light to make life on earth possible. However, viewed up close, the sun can be threatening: there is boiling water on its surface, there are irregular bursts of plasma and radiation and huge gas fountains, the so-called protuberances. The activity of the sun moves in an approximately eleven year long cycle, at the end of 2019 a new solar cycle began, which slowly increases solar activity again.
At the moment the sun seems particularly active. After a strong solar flare on October 28, 2021, aurora borealis were expected on Earth up to middle latitudes. But the solar storm was apparently slowed down on the way to Earth – mainly in the far north, auroras were reported in the days after. But now there is a new chance for aurora borealis in Germany. According to experts, a solar flare on November 2, 2021 gives hope that northern lights could be seen up to mid-latitudes in the coming days.
Northern lights possible as far as Germany – solar storm on November 2nd, 2021
The point on the sun from which the so-called flare emanated was directed towards earth at the time of the eruption and thus produced a coronal mass ejection that moves through space towards earth. If the high-energy particles that the sun has ejected meet oxygen or nitrogen atoms in the earth’s atmosphere, these are stimulated and begin to glow. This happens at an altitude of about 100 kilometers – on earth you can see aurora borealis. Usually this phenomenon can only be observed in the vicinity of the poles because the earth’s magnetic field deflects the particles there. During particularly strong solar storms, however, the northern lights can also be observed in the sky in mid-latitudes – possibly also in Germany.
And yet another spectacular halo CME directed towards Earth. This one was produced by AR 12981 near the central meridian and erupted just a few hours after a another large CME from AR 12887. Let’s hope that this one will produce more impressive aurorae than the Halloween storm. pic.twitter.com/IgybMzG0hL
— SOHO_Mission (@MissionSoho) November 3, 2021
Northern lights visible in Germany? How to watch the aurora borealis
According to current calculations, the coronal mass ejection particles from November 2, 2021 should hit Earth on November 4, 2021 at around 5 a.m. (plus / minus six hours) – aurora borealis as far as Germany will then be possible. If you want to look out for the northern lights, you have to know the following: The northern lights – if they should become visible in Germany – can be seen in the north. An undisguised and cloud-free view in this direction is essential for observation. In addition, it should be as dark as possible to the north – aurora borealis can only be seen faintly beyond the poles and light pollution can prevent sighting. It should also happen that greenish light pollution on the horizon (for example clouds that are illuminated by green spotlights) is confused with aurora borealis.
Everyone knows the pictures of aurora borealis dancing in the sky in green and pink colors. However, if you want to watch the Aurora Borealis in Germany, you shouldn’t expect too much. In Germany, the northern lights will not dance over the heads of the observer, but rather be seen on the northern horizon. In addition, it will only shine weakly – a light greenish or pinkish glow, nothing more in Germany. It is possible that the aurora borealis can only be detected photographically in Germany, that is, can only be seen on a picture after a long exposure with the camera.
Solar storms can be dangerous for the earth
Northern lights are the positive aspect of a solar storm. But solar flares can also be dangerous for the earth. Normally the atmosphere and the magnetic field protect the earth from solar storms, but very strong eruptions can still have noticeable effects on the earth. During the strongest solar storm recorded so far (“Carrington event” of 1859), the northern lights were seen in Rome and Hawaii, and the telegraph network in North America and Europe was temporarily out of order.
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Today, a correspondingly strong solar storm would cause greater problems, as power grids, radio networks and satellites are particularly affected. One researcher warns that the internet could also be disrupted by a solar storm. In recent years, the earth has only just missed a catastrophe, triggered by a solar storm: In July 2012, a geomagnetic storm the size of the “Carrington event” just missed the earth, the US space agency NASA announced in the year 2014 with. (tab)
