On the night of May 11 to 12, you may have been lucky enough to see the spectacular Northern Lights for the first time in the Paris region, but also all over France. This rare phenomenon, of unprecedented power, is due to a solar storm also known as a “geomagnetic storm”. If you missed this event, there may well be a catch-up session coming up very soon. We’ll explain!
Northern lights could be visible again in France
You don’t have to go to Finland or Greenland to see the northern lights. Since last weekend, some of you may have had the chance to observe them without leaving France. The reason? A strong level 5 solar storm, the maximum level recorded by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A first in 20 years!
In concrete terms, the Sun reached a very intense level of activity in May, so much so that particles from it reached the Earth, provoking a geomagnetic storm. While some electronic devices such as GPS and radios may have been disrupted, it was the splendid aurora borealis that spread the news. Under clear skies, far from any light pollution, budding photographers and nature lovers gave their all to immortalize the moment.
The aurora borealis could be seen on May 10, but also on May 11 and 12, albeit with less intensity than on the night of Friday May 10. If you’ve missed out, you may well be able to see them again in mainland France. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), “Level 3 conditions are possible through Monday”. What’s more, the Sun is close to its peak of activity, which is punctuated by a cycle that recurs every 11 years. What’s more, other aurora borealis may well be observable this year, according to a study published on November 28, 2023 in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
To observe them, it’s best to head north, as far away as possible from light pollution. Your camera or phone will be your best friend: it’s very rare to be able to observe them completely with the naked eye. To capture them properly, you’ll need to pause the photo for at least 10 seconds. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that you’ll have better luck this time!