Rare and vibrant displays of red, pink, and green illuminated the night sky over Baden-Württemberg on Monday evening. The unusual phenomenon – the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights – was widely observed and documented by residents.
Photographs of the lights were shared across social media platforms, with observations reported from Böblingen, Nagold (Kreis Calw), and Deizisau (Kreis Esslingen). Readers of the BW-Newsticker am Morgen also submitted photos from Bodman (Kreis Konstanz) and Böttingen (Kreis Tuttlingen).
According to Carolin Liefke, Deputy Head at the House of Astronomy in Heidelberg, the displays were particularly striking. “There were appearances where it was very, very bright at times,” she said. “The lights were only observable for seconds in some places. We saw very intense colors, it was very impressive.”
Polarlichter: Sonneneruptionen verursachen Himmelsphänomen
The German Weather Service (DWD) reported that the aurora was visible in the Hohenlohe region above 500 meters, as well as generally across the Black Forest, the Swabian Alb, the Stuttgart area, and Hohenlohe. “It’s not an everyday occurrence to see the aurora in Germany,” explained DWD meteorologist Kai-Uwe Nerding. “The intensity we saw last night was a rare event, visible as far as the Alps.”
The phenomenon is caused by a geomagnetic storm, triggered by a recent eruption on the sun. According to Markus Bayer, a meteorologist at the DWD, “We had a stronger eruption of the sun, and it has now arrived here.” Particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, creating the vibrant light displays.
Geomagnetischer Sturm: Auswirkungen auf Satelliten möglich
The geomagnetic storm reached a level of G4 – the second-highest level – as reported by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa). At this strength, disruptions to satellites and even GPS systems are possible. The eruption cloud from the sun traveled from the sun to Earth in approximately 25 hours, according to the astronomy platform “Spaceweather,” which is significantly faster than the typical three to four days.
Gibt es nochmal Polarlichter zu sehen?
The outlook for further sightings in the coming night is less promising, according to weather expert Liefke. Forecasts suggest that any remaining auroral activity on Tuesday will likely occur in the afternoon, when it is still light in Germany. “People in the USA and Canada are more likely to see it then,” she said. However, Liefke added that surprises are always possible, advising observers to “keep an eye out” on Wednesday night if the skies are clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the aurora borealis?
The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, is caused by a geomagnetic storm. These storms occur when particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to glow.
Where in Germany were the lights visible?
The lights were visible in the Hohenlohe region, the Black Forest, the Swabian Alb, the Stuttgart area, and Hohenlohe, and as far as the Alps.
Is it likely we will see the aurora again soon?
The outlook for Tuesday is less promising, but experts say there is still a possibility of seeing the lights on Wednesday night if the skies are clear.
What did you think of this rare and beautiful display?
