Social networks are filled with photos of the appearance northern lights in italy. Well, actually this has also been seen in other European countries, like Poland and Francealthough the most impressive photographs were taken in Dolomitesin an Italian city Cortina d’Ampezzo. If this is so striking, it is because auroras, both boreal and austral, tend to occur almost exclusively in areas very close to the poles: the former in the north and the latter in the south. However, this amazing northern lights, which could be seen on the night of Sunday, November 5, occurred much lower than the North Pole.
This is not the first time this has happened in recent months. In fact, last April the northern lights were spotted in southern Spain. But just because it’s not a unique event doesn’t mean it isn’t weird.
Now, while this is rare, it wouldn’t be at all strange if we saw another northern lights in Italy, Spain or some other country in the coming months. far from the north pole. This is because the Sun is going through a period very intense activity, so solar storms are powerful enough to cross the magnetic field that normally traps the particles that cause auroras and moves them toward the poles. Activity is expected to continue to increase until the second half of 2025so we may still have a lot of light shows to see.
From solar storms to colorful spectacles in the sky
Solar activity is regulated by cycles lasting about 11 years approximately. That is, at this time there are initially very few places where solar flares occur, responsible for winds and storms. But gradually more and more spots are formed, and activity increases until it reaches a maximum point, after which it begins to decline again.
These solar storms release large amounts of charged particles that excite gas atoms present in the Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, energy is released in the form light, the color of which changes depending on the composition of these gases. For example, if the atmosphere is rich oxygendo you see color green Characteristics of auroras. On the other hand, if there are more nitrogen you see a blue color that eventually turns into violet.
All this will happen if charged particles from the solar wind reach our atmosphere. But to do this they need to go through a magnetic field earthly and it is not something simple. Usually, when they collide with it, they are deflected towards the poles, where the magnetic field much weaker.
We can think of it as a ball of cookie dough that we roll out to the edges with a rolling pin. The closer to the end, the thinner the dough layer will be. In the center, where the original dumpling was, the thickness is much greater. Something similar happens with the magnetic field. This large ball of mass that is the atmosphere prevents the passage of particles that will move until they find a layer thin enough to pass through. They can achieve this at the poles. However, when solar Activity It is very large and can go through some of the thicker parts. Maybe not in the center, where the equator would be, but quite far from the poles.
Northern Lights in Italy and many other places.
The Northern Lights in Italy are photographed primarily in this country because of how beautiful the images are in the Alps. However, sightings of it have also been reported. from Poland to Slovenia, even reaching countries as far south as Greece. And also in some parts of Spain, although much weaker.
This is because the current solar storm is classified as G3. This is a strong level of classification developed US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which ranges from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). G3 is classified as solar storms that cause energy fluctuations in electrical grids, difficulties in managing the electrical grid, possible impact on satellite navigation and, indeed, auroras are visible at lower latitudes than usual.
Therefore, northern lights in Italy, like the one that occurred a few months ago in southern Spain, are just further evidence that our Sun is burning. Much more than usual.
Source: Hiper Textual
