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Auroras Sweep Across Germany as Strong Solar Storm Strikes

A burst of solar plasma from recent coronal mass ejections triggered a G3-level disturbance, with elevated activity expected to persist into Thursday.

Overview

  • Reds, pinks and greens were visible with the naked eye across Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and parts of Lower Saxony between roughly 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
  • NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center forecast G2 for Nov. 11, G3 for Nov. 12 and G1 for Nov. 13, noting uncertainty from interacting CMEs and advising continued monitoring.
  • Observers and analysts reported a rare Ground Level Event as high‑energy solar protons were detected at Earth’s surface by instruments worldwide, an occurrence seen only once or twice per solar cycle.
  • Experts say another viewing window is possible over the next one to two nights, with timing dependent on CME speeds and local cloud cover; forecasters also flag potential satellite drag, navigation errors and HF radio disruptions at G3 levels.
  • Separate peer‑reviewed research documented unusually high‑altitude blue aurora near 200 kilometers in 2023 observations, highlighting unresolved questions about auroral chemistry and dynamics.