According to forecasts from the American Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, the peak of the aurora storm is expected on the night of…
This is a celestial spectacle of exceptional rarity. After a powerful solar flare ejected billions of tons of charged particles into space, the Earth’s magnetic field is about to undergo a powerful geomagnetic shock. A rare opportunity for residents of mainland France to hope to see the magnificent northern lights in the heart of the particularly intense 25th solar cycle.
Specifically, what should we expect? Because of our distance from the pole, we do not see the base of the auroras (usually green), but their top. Thus, the northern sky could be tinged with a pink, purple, purple or reddish veil that seemed to float very high above the horizon. If the storm intensifies, large vertical “curtains” will appear to move slowly for several minutes.
According to NOAA (American Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency) forecasts, the peak of the storm is expected on the night of Wednesday July 22nd to Thursday July 23rd. Sighting chances will be particularly favorable in the northern half of France (Normandy, Hautes-de-France, Brittany, Grand Est), while the south will have to rely on a surge in storm intensity to see the lights on the horizon. In midsummer, the shortness of the nights imposes strict restrictions: the only ideal viewing window is from 11:30 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Northern lights in the sky of Metz © Thierry GAUY
No heavy equipment is required to benefit from it. Get away from cities to avoid light pollution and choose an elevated location with a great view of the northern horizon. Immutable advice: use your smartphone in night mode (shutter speed from 3 to 5 seconds). Because the digital sensor is more sensitive than the human eye, your screen will instantly show purple colors even if you only see a thin pink haze with the naked eye.
When will we be able to see the next wave of northern lights? Space weather can only be predicted 24 to 72 hours in advance. However, astrophysicists confirm that the global window will remain wide open until the end of 2026. As the Sun remains at its plateau of maximum activity, other giant sunspots will turn toward Earth in the coming weeks and months. So more warnings will continue into the fall, a season that is even more favorable for sightings thanks to much longer and darker nights.