There is always a second chance. Those who were not able to observe the spectacular northern lights over Mallorca last night will be able to do so throughout this weekend, especially this Saturday night. Experts warn that the geomagnetic storm will continue over the next few days and will have its maximum splendor around 9:30 p.m. The recommendations are clear: place yourself in an area with little light pollution, look at the sky, and enjoy the landscape.
This Saturday night, there will be more and better. Around 9:30 p.m., you have to be looking at the sky with your cameras ready to take photographs and videos. It will be spectacular, especially this Saturday, since, as the sun is rotating to the right, there will no longer be such good viewing conditions on Sunday. Little by little,ating the activity will stop,” explains Salvador Sáchez , from the Fundació Institut d’Astronomia i Astronàutica de Mallorca.
The great solar activity moves these phenomena in an unusual way to the southern regions of the Earth’s northern hemisphere and can cause failures in electrical and communications systems. “”If it doesn’t get worse, nothing will happen, at most it can cause small anomalies , such as the GPS failing a little or a small blackout,” says the expert. This occurs when solar activity is very high and there is currently a large spot on the sun. In 1859, with the solar storm known as ‘Carrington’, we operated with telegraphs, and their communications were strongly affected. Today, it’s different and nothing will happen. If it went further, the satellites would have to be disconnected, and air traffic could be affected.”
The observation of the aurora at such low latitudes has been favored by a large geomagnetic storm at a distance between 90 and 150 kilometers in altitude, beyond the limits of the trosposphere, where common meteorological phenomena are formed. “The solar wind is stronger at times close to maximum solar activity, which occurs in cycles of between 10 and 12 years,” explained Aemet. One of these cycles is now being generated, according to the observed sunspots, which indicate great magnetic activity, atmospheric solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
For the moment, the experts are clear about the recommendation for tonight: “Look at the sky and enjoy.” Sánchez advises leaving mobile phones on a tripod or somewhere supported to take good photographs and, in the meantime, delight in the majestic astronomical spectacle that can so rarely be observed from the island.
Such a sight of the northern lights from Mediterranean latitudes is unusual. If we want to see one, we usually have to go to Finland or Norway. And now it turns out that we have them here,” says Sánchez. The areas where they can be seen most clearly this weekend will be in the north of the island.
