The night of May 10 to 11 amazed France with the northern lights in pink, sometimes green hues, due to an exceptional solar storm. Will the show happen again on the evening of Saturday May 11?
The spectacle delighted a large part of France on the night of May 10 to 11, 2024: the Northern Lights were visible over a large part of mainland France. The reason: a geomagnetic storm of an intensity not seen in 21 years has hit the Earth. If you haven’t had the chance to see them or take a photo of them, all is not yet lost.
Can we still see the Northern Lights in France? How ?
The geomagnetic storm is not over, the particle flows are still intensely affecting our planet. As specified by NOAA (American Oceanic and Atmospheric Observation Agency), the impacts on Earth will be marked until Sunday, May 12. The phenomenon of the Northern Lights affecting lower latitudes than usual therefore extends a little further in time. But, of course, it will weaken over time.
Clearly, it will still be possible to see them in France this Saturday, May 11, at the start of the night, in the northern latitudes of the country. The phenomenon will, however, be less intense. And it will be necessary to ensure that certain conditions are met to hope to observe them:
- Look towards the North;
- Be protected from light pollution;
- Observe the sky at the start of the night;
- Cross your fingers that there are no clouds: you will need clear skies in your observation area, but the weather will be less clement in many regions
The effects can sometimes be more subtle, and less like the most spectacular photos in which the auroras stand out perfectly, while still offering us some interesting colors in the sky.
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