Northern lights over Saxony: The natural spectacle of the year!

Northern lights over Saxony: The natural spectacle of the year!

On the night of Saturday, June 14, 2025, the people of Saxony experienced an impressive natural spectacle: northern lights that danced across the sky in shimmering shades of purple and red. That evening, photographer Tim Meyer documented the fascinating impressions in Dittersbach, Striegistal. The reason for this spectacular spectacle was strong solar activity, which was triggered by a mass ejection of charged particles from the sun. This information was confirmed by the US atmospheric agency NOAA, which on this occasion recorded a geomagnetic storm that made auroras visible in many regions of Europe.

A high probability of further northern lights is predicted for the night from Saturday to Sunday, especially in northern Germany and possibly also in Saxony. According to the weather forecast from the German Weather Service (DWD), there is likely to be a rain-free night with little cloud cover. This provides ideal conditions for anyone wanting to take advantage of the spectacular sight. The best time for viewing is around midnight and you should go to a dark place away from big cities to see the lights in full glory. A bit of equipment doesn't hurt: the night mode on smartphones and a tripod for longer exposure times can help to capture the Northern Lights optimally.

A wave of solar activity

The current phase of solar activity is remarkable. The solar cycle, which spans about 11 years, is now at a peak, increasing the chances of aurora sightings. According to experts like Sami Solanki from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, strong solar flares increase the chances of impressive northern lights. The mass ejection that was recorded at the time of the Northern Lights a few days ago could even trigger a geomagnetic storm in the G4 category, which also affects higher latitudes in Germany.

The chances of seeing the Northern Lights are particularly strong in the middle of Germany and the northwest half, which includes North Rhine-Westphalia to the North and Baltic Seas. There are also medium chances of observations in the Alpine regions. However, cloudier weather is expected in the south and east of Germany, so visibility in these regions could be poor under certain circumstances. Nevertheless, there could also be some relief there that would allow a view of the aurora.

What do geomagnetic storms mean?

Geomagnetic storms are not only a fascinating weather phenomenon, they can also have a significant impact on our daily lives. A strong storm can disrupt power grids and affect the functionality of satellites. Latest studies estimate the socio-economic damage that could arise from extreme space weather events in Europe at around 15 billion euros. But despite all the fragmentation and sometimes disturbing aspects, the spectacle of the Northern Lights remains a majestic and previously unrivaled experience for many.

Ultimately, the phenomenal interaction between solar activity and the earth's magnetic field shows us how invisible forces can make the night sky shine so much. If you feel like it, you shouldn't miss the chance to watch the Northern Lights in the coming nights. A look at the sky could be worthwhile at this time.

If you would like to find out more about this, further details can be found here Sächsische.de, as well as the latest information t-online.de and detailed scientific insights mpg.de.