Northern lights illuminate the sky: a natural spectacle all the way to the foothills of the Alps!

Northern lights illuminate the sky: a natural spectacle all the way to the foothills of the Alps!

It is currently shining in impressive colors over the heads of Germany. On January 20, 2026, numerous people in northern Germany and into the foothills of the Alps experienced a spectacular natural spectacle: northern lights, some of which were visible to the naked eye. These impressive features were triggered by a powerful solar storm following a coronal mass ejection on January 18, 2026. Loud Mercury The strength of the solar storm was enormous at X1.9 and the resulting plasma hit the Earth's magnetic field around 10 p.m.

If you look back, it quickly becomes clear that this event is not an isolated case. A similar spectacle occurred in May 2024, but the current solar storm exceeded the intensity of the previous one. “Red and green bands of light dotted the sky,” reported amazed observers, while long exposures impressively captured the splendor of the colors of the northern lights.

Tips for the best observation

Experts recommend observing the northern part of the sky when the sky is clear. A dark, cloud-free place is ideal to enjoy the lights as best as possible. The German Weather Service predicts similar conditions for the coming night, which increases the chances of another sighting.

But it's not just the play of light that is fascinating, the physical background is also impressive. Loud News.de It is suspected that another solar storm in categories G2 to G3 could also have an impact in the next few days as a result of the mass ejection. Meteorologists warn of possible technical disruptions, particularly in aviation communications and shortwave radio, while the likelihood of a power outage is considered low.

Geomagnetic disturbances and their effects

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) even expects a severe geomagnetic storm of level G4 on January 20, 2026. These storms can produce impressive auroras up to mid-latitudes - and anyone who is a bit lucky could enjoy this aesthetic too. The storm could disrupt satellite and GPS signals, with an estimated arrival time of between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. CET, as reported sonnen-sturm.info reported.

At a time when technology plays a significant role in our everyday lives, our gaze is not only directed upwards, but also to the impact of such events on the modern world. Whether northern lights hunters or technology experts, everyone is excited to see what the coming days will bring.