Rare Polar Lights Illuminate Germany's Night Sky on January 20, 2026

On the night of January 20, 2026, a spectacular natural phenomenon captivated people across Germany as the sky lit up with vivid polar lights, a rarity at this latitude. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the auroras stretched from the northern coast to as far south as the Alps, visible in rural areas and urban centers such as Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, and Dresden.

Meteorologist Markus Bayer of the DWD explained that the event was triggered by a powerful geomagnetic solar storm, classified at the second-highest level G4 by the NOAA. This storm accelerated charged particles from the sun toward Earth, where, upon interacting with the Earth's magnetic field, they penetrated the upper atmosphere near the poles. These collisions excite atmospheric gases, causing them to glow in colors ranging from greens and reds, produced by oxygen molecules, to violet and blue, stemming from nitrogen. The storm's rapid arrival, only 25 hours from the solar eruption to Earth, was unusually swift compared to the typical three to four days.

The phenomenon was observed even in cities where light pollution often obscures such sights, with many residents describing the experience as "magical." Photography enthusiasts noted that modern camera sensors captured the intensity and varied hues of the auroras more vividly than the human eye could. The best viewing times spanned from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., particularly under clear and dark skies.

While polar lights generally occur near the Arctic and Antarctic circles, events of this magnitude over Germany are rare, only happening once every few decades. The geomagnetic storm not only offered a mesmerizing light show but also posed potential risks to satellite operations and GPS systems due to its intensity.

In summary, the January 20 auroras provided an extraordinary display of nature's power and beauty, sparking widespread public fascination and reminding experts of the dynamic solar-terrestrial interactions that shape our planet's space environment.