AUSTRIA. This weekend, an impressive natural spectacle could once again appear in the night sky in Austria: the northern lights, also known as the Northern Lights, could become visible through a strong solar flare.
The sun is currently particularly active, and one of the strongest solar flares of the current solar cycle has hurled charged particles towards Earth. These particles could hit the Earth’s magnetic field this weekend and trigger the northern lights. In many regions of Austria, especially in the Alpine region, hopes for a colorful celestial spectacle are increasing.
What are Northern Lights?
Auroras occur when particles released from the sun during eruptions react with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. These electrical particles stimulate the air molecules to glow, which becomes visible as colorful lights in the sky. Northern lights normally occur in the polar regions of the Earth, but during particularly strong solar storms they can also be seen in areas further south. A storm like this is now expected again in Austria.
Best opportunities in western Austria
Whether you can actually see the Northern Lights depends on several factors, especially the weather. The greatest chances of observing the spectacle are probably in the western federal states such as Vorarlberg and North Tyrol. Conditions were forecast to be predominantly clear here on Sunday night. In other parts of Austria, especially in the east, dense clouds could limit the field of vision, reducing the chance of northern lights. However, there is a possibility that new solar flares could extend the visibility of the Northern Lights into next week.
Tips for seeing the Northern Lights
If you want to see the Northern Lights, you should, above all, be patient. Even in the best weather conditions, it is impossible to predict exactly when and where the lights will appear. Experts advise: If the sky is clear, look north and wait. Even if there are no northern lights to be seen, there is a breathtaking starry sky – and that is at least a worthwhile experience.
