Polar Lights (Aurora Borealis)

August 12th -13th 2024, Maisach/Fuerstenfeldbruck, South Germany

Photographies by Thorsten Boeckel

 

By heading out for the Perseids show a little polar light showed us some weak visual beamers accompanied with a red-pink background which was noticable in the phase from 10:15 - 10:30 UTC with a KP Index of 6-7'o * .

Polar lights, Aurora Borealis 12 to 13 August 2024, Germany, Europe, by Thorsten Boeckel

It was preceded by a G4 storm with a KP Index of 6-7'o * .

Polar lights, Aurora Borealis 12 to 13 August 2024, Germany, Europe, by Thorsten Boeckel   Polar lights, Aurora Borealis 12 to 13 August 2024, Germany, Europe, by Thorsten Boeckel

This solar storm reached the Earth entirely in the European day phase. So around midnight (CEST) there were only the solar "residual winds",
which were still evident in southern Germany

Polar lights, Aurora Borealis 12 to 13 August 2024, Germany, Europe, by Thorsten Boeckel   Polar lights, Aurora Borealis 12 to 13 August 2024, Germany, Europe, by Thorsten Boeckel   Polar lights, Aurora Borealis 12 to 13 August 2024, Germany, Europe, by Thorsten Boeckel

Polar lights, Aurora Borealis 12 to 13 August 2024, Germany, Europe, by Thorsten Boeckel 

  Sony a73,  Sigma Art 50mm,  f1,4, Iso 3200, exp 0,8sec

VIDEO


Basics about sightings of Aurora Borealis also known as Northern- or polar lights, in middle latitudes

 KP index*: Roughly speaking, auroras can already be observed visually from KP 5-6 (G1/2 storm) in northern Germany. At KP 7/8 (G3/4 storm) or above also in southern Germany (Alps to southern Europe). Among other things, the density and speed of the flares or CME's (earth directed solar mass ejection forms) or corona holes are relevant parameters for the strength of the solar storms and visual sightings. But the Bz value which definite the north- south  alignment of the earth magnetic field ( May 2024, Bz -50nT ) is the most important factor. If this Bz value is to weak, the protons can't invade in the earth magnetic field. By the way, the glowing phenomenon is triggered by 'animated' oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen up to ~100 km shows greenish colors and from ~100-200 km red to orange.  Nitrogen atoms up  to ~300 km shows more seldom purple or blue colors.


NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center


Red Sprites 2107 by Th Boeckel

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Red Sprites 2107 by Th Boeckel

 

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          ©2024 photos by Thorsten Boeckel


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