Sunstorm season: unique opportunities for the northern lights in Austria!

Sunstorm season: unique opportunities for the northern lights in Austria!

Solar activity is currently experiencing an unprecedented high phase: In July 2024, the highest monthly mean of the sun spots has been registered for over twenty years. On July 18, 2024, the number of sun spots reached a record value with 290, which was last exceeded in 2002. According to expert Christian Möstl from Space Weather Office, the Geosphere Austria is currently in the maximum of the 11-year sun cycle, which is expected to last until 2026. This highly active phase brings with it an increase in solar storms, three to four per month meet the earth's magnetic field, which also offers the opportunity to observe fascinating northern lights in Austria, such as kleine Zeitung reported.

northern lights and solar storms

Last year there were several opportunities to experience nic lights in Austria, especially thanks to intensive solar storms. These extraordinary atmospheric phenomena are not only visible in the high latitudes, but could also reach Central Europe in the coming years. If you want to admire the magical lights in the sky, you need the right combination of a strong solar storm, a clear sky and long periods of darkness. Experts expect that the increased solar activity will even offer further opportunities for spectacular lights by 2027, reported Zamg .

The impressive solar activity not only has visual effects: strong solar storms can also affect modern technology, including GPS and power supply networks. These geomagnetic storms are not only responsible for the formation of northern lights; You can cause serious disorders in communication systems. Despite the strong solar storms of the past year, there were no major disturbances. The Austrian Space Weather Office is constantly developing new predictive systems in order to better estimate and react to the potential dangers of this solar activity for our infrastructure.