- Northern Lights and Starbursts in the Night Sky
A colorful spectacle lit up the night sky in large parts of Germany. In many federal states, from Schleswig-Holstein to Brandenburg and all the way to Bavaria, people were able to admire the vibrant phenomenon of aurora borealis, accompanied by bright meteors. The Perseids, the largest meteor shower of the year, reached its peak on Tuesday night.
Webcams of the German Weather Service (DWD) documented the special event in the sky - for example, in Falkenberg in the Upper Palatinate in Bavaria.
Perfect weather conditions
Aurora borealis occurs when so-called coronal mass ejections (CME) or solar storms hit the Earth's magnetic field. There, particles collide with components of the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to glow.
The weather conditions on Tuesday night were perfect for observing this rare phenomenon here, explained a spokeswoman for the DWD: "If there were any clouds in the sky, they were mostly thin cirrus clouds."
Fewer chances in upcoming nights
In the coming nights, the chances of seeing more meteors in the night sky will decrease in many places. The next few days are expected to be increasingly stormy, the spokeswoman said. On Wednesday night, there could be thunderstorms, especially in the west and northwest - and accordingly, many clouds in the sky. However, it still looks good in the northeast. "It might not be as perfect as the last night," she said.
This natural spectacle of aurora borealis was a breathtaking sight in the night sky, especially in Bavaria, where webcams captured its beauty. The outstanding weather conditions made it easier for people to witness this natural spectacle, as thin cirrus clouds minimally obstructed the view.
