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Northern lights over Germany: A heavenly spectacle awaits!
On October 30, 2025, the northern lights could be visible over Germany. Background information on the cause, observation tips and the expected geomagnetic storms are explained.
Northern lights over Germany: A heavenly spectacle awaits!
Spectacular northern lights could appear over Germany on October 30, 2025! Loud Mercury Due to a moderate geomagnetic storm of category G2, it is possible to observe this impressive natural spectacle. On this day, experts from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) expect special activity that has already led to great sightings in other parts of the world, such as New York and Idaho.
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are primarily known in northern regions, but geomagnetic storms can also make them visible much further south. Gaps in the clouds and darkness play a crucial role here. To observe these celestial colors, one should retreat to a dark place and look north, always with a dose of patience, as auroras are known to appear and disappear quickly.
The origin of the northern lights
How do these fascinating plays of light in the sky actually come about? Prolonged solar activity and solar flares, such as those that occur after a coronal mass ejection (CME), allow the Sun's charged plasma to impinge on the Earth's magnetic field. This causes particles to collide with the Earth's atmosphere, causing it to glow. Stefan Kraft, a physicist at the European Satellite Control Center ESOC, describes auroras as “the visually beautiful side of space weather,” as ESA explains on its website ( ESA ).
Visualizing these light plays is not always easy. In the dark, human eyes do not perceive colors as vividly, and the colorful images often seen in media appear less intense in reality. However, it is possible to capture the fascinating colors of the northern lights using long exposures from cameras or smartphones, even if they are not visible to the naked eye.
The science behind colors
But what exactly do we see in the sky? The colors of the northern lights are caused by various gases in the atmosphere. Oxygen plays a key role and primarily produces red and green light. These colors result from the specific energy levels of the atoms, which become visible through light emission. The red light is produced at higher energy states, while green light decays more quickly. Interestingly, the visibility of these colors also depends on atmospheric pressure. A bit of physics that explains the beauty of space ( Earthquake Observatory ).
In order to better predict the phenomenon of the northern lights, ESA uses various satellites that continuously observe solar activity. This helps provide advance warning of future space weather events, similar to weather forecasts on Earth. With a budget of over 30 million euros until 2020 and further missions in the planning, ESA wants to ensure the safety of infrastructure and communication systems during geomagnetic storms.
The anticipation for October 30th is growing, and perhaps Cologne can experience the beauty of the Northern Lights this year. Keep your eyes peeled and prepare for an unforgettable sight!