It was a breathtaking spectacle, one that astrology enthusiasts will not soon forget. On the night of May 10 to 11, 2024, the French sky lit up with the Northern Lights visible in particular from our departments.
Are we heading for an encore repetita this weekend? This is a more than likely option after the historic solar flare which occurred on Thursday October 3, 2024, the most powerful in the current cycle of our star.
More precisely, we were able to observe a succession of powerful eruptions in the vicinity of the complex sunspot AR3842, while it was positioned facing the Earth, explains NASA.
A peak during the night from Saturday to Sunday
These eruptions caused a solar storm which would be the strongest observed in recent years, indicates the American space agency. These projections of plasma – solar matter – should hit the Earth two to three days after the eruption, i.e. Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6.
As the astrophysicist Pierdavide Coïsson explained to The New Republic in April 2024, when electrically charged solar particles encounter the atmosphere, they follow the Earth’s magnetic field, causing polar auroras. Because “this is where the magnetic field is thinnest”.
On the other hand, the stronger the solar flare, the more the aurora can be visible at low latitudes, therefore potentially in France. Which should be the case this time again, according to several specialized sites.
How to see them?
“In France, we have a 40% chance of seeing approximately one”estimated Fabrice Mottez, editor-in-chief of the magazine Astronomyinterviewed by Actu.fr.
If the Northern Lights are ever visible from France, you will however need to combine luck and a discerning eye to observe them. First of all, the further you are from any light pollution, the more likely you are to see the Northern Lights.
Also, don’t hesitate to bring a telescope or camera, as the auroras are more difficult to observe with the naked eye.
Other consequences?
This solar flare could also have other consequences on human activity. As Éric Lagadec reminded The New Republica significant eruption can especially cause “GPS and power grid outages”.
