**A Rare and Widespread Aurora Spectacle Illuminates Mid-Latitude Skies**
Skywatchers across the globe witnessed an extraordinary and widespread display of the northern lights, pushed far beyond their usual polar confines by a severe geomagnetic storm. Triggered by an exceptionally fast coronal mass ejection (CME) that struck Earth’s magnetic field on January 19th, the resulting G4-class storm produced auroras visible from Germany and Romania to the southwestern United States and even New Mexico at a remarkably low 32° latitude. The vibrant show, featuring dazzling greens, vivid reds, and rich magentas, was captured by photographers in locations where such phenomena are rare, including Portugal, Hungary, and France. This event underscored the powerful impact of solar activity, as the CME traveled from the sun to Earth in just over a day, leading to hours of highly disturbed magnetic conditions and repeated surges of auroral activity.
**A Global Gallery of Ethereal Light**
The intense geomagnetic storm provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for photographers worldwide to document stunning auroral displays. From the dramatic cliffs of Étretat, France, to the rivers of Germany and the snowy villages of China, the night sky came alive with color. Notable captures included vibrant red auroras visible to the naked eye in Portugal, tall pillars of light in Ontario, Canada, and a breathtaking timelapse over Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast. Enthusiasts braved freezing temperatures, with one photographer in Romania enduring -9°C to capture the „explosion of colors,” while others in typically cloud-covered regions like the Netherlands successfully glimpsed the show through breaks in the clouds.
**Continued Solar Activity Offers Hope for More Displays**
While the peak of the severe storm has passed, space weather forecasters note that geomagnetic conditions remain unsettled. This means there is still a chance for further auroral displays, particularly at higher latitudes, if solar wind conditions remain favorable. The event served as a potent reminder of the sun’s influence on our planet and the beauty of space weather phenomena. Experts advise that interested skywatchers keep their camera batteries charged and aurora alerts activated, as the sun’s active period may yet deliver more celestial shows in the nights to come.
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