Observatory expects auroras in Switzerland
Published: Friday, May 10th 2024, 17:30
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Astronomers are expecting auroras over Switzerland on Saturday night. As the Hubelmatt Observatory in Lucerne writes on its website, auroras can be observed in the hours after midnight until dawn.
To see the lights, you need a dark place, as the auroras are sometimes faint in the light pollution. The observatory also recommends an elevated spot with an unobstructed view to the north.
The reason for the expected auroras is that there are currently a particularly large number of eruptions on the sun. According to the observatory, two groups of spots on the sun have been constantly producing eruptions over the last few days. Due to the position of the group of spots, these have been ejected in the direction of the Earth.
When solar wind meets the atmosphere
Auroras occur when such solar flares, consisting of charged particles, mainly electrons and protons, enter the Earth's atmosphere. As soon as the charged particles reach the atmosphere, they collide with the gases in the atmosphere, mainly oxygen and nitrogen. Energy and light are released during these collisions.
The color of the Northern Lights depends on the type of gas particles with which the charged particles interact in the atmosphere and the altitude at which these interactions occur. Green northern lights are often caused by interaction with oxygen in higher atmospheric layers, while red or violet colors can result from interaction with nitrogen.
When the solar wind reaches the Earth's atmosphere, the charged particles are directed to the polar regions by the Earth's magnetic field. This process causes the particles to reach the poles. For auroras to be visible in Switzerland, the solar winds must be very strong.
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