Portugal Dazzled by Northern Lights for the Third Time This Year!
Público9 months ago
2840

Portugal Dazzled by Northern Lights for the Third Time This Year!

Science
northernlights
solaractivity
geomagneticstorms
portugal
science
Share this content:

Summary:

  • Three sightings of Northern Lights in Portugal this year.

  • Auroras visible from various locations including Madeira and the Azores.

  • Solar activity caused by a strong coronal mass ejection (CME).

  • Researcher insights on the phenomenon and its historical significance.

  • Geomagnetic storms can affect satellite and communication services.

A Spectacular Phenomenon

Not once, not twice, but three times this year, Northern Lights have graced the skies of Portugal, a rare phenomenon at this latitude. On the night from Thursday to Friday, images of the aurora borealis were shared across social media platforms, showcasing its beauty from various locations throughout the country.

Widespread Sightings

Groups such as Astronomia – Portugal on Facebook shared stunning photographs taken in regions like Vila Real, Famalicão, Leiria, Seia, Lousã, and the Serra de São Mamede (Portalegre). The Meteo Trás-os-Montes website was flooded with images from Arcos de Valdevez, Bragança, Chaves, and even as far as the Madeira and Azores islands.

The Solar Activity Behind the Lights

Hours before the sightings, Meteo Trás-os-Montes issued an “aurora alert,” providing an interactive map of probable affected areas using data from the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). They noted that auroras were visible across much of Europe, including countries like France, Denmark, and Germany, due to a recent solar storm. This storm was characterized by a coronal mass ejection (CME) of class X, the most energetic type, which hit Earth and triggered geomagnetic storms.

Scientific Insights

Fernando Pinheiro, a researcher at the University of Coimbra, explained that this solar eruption occurred on October 9, 2024, at 2:56 AM Lisbon time, with a strength of X1.8, marking it as a “strong” event. This CME inevitably impacted Earth, resulting in the geomagnetic storm observed that night.

The Red Hue of the Auroras

The auroras returned to various regions of Portugal on the night of October 10-11, producing a reddish hue due to the ionization of oxygen atoms at altitudes of 200 to 300 kilometers. This phenomenon allows for visibility at lower latitudes, as highlighted by Pinheiro.

A Rare Occurrence

After decades of absence, 2024 has already seen the return of auroras in May and August, coinciding with the solar cycle's peak activity. Historical records mention sightings in Portugal as far back as February 1872, and the current conditions are creating spectacular displays, albeit with potential disruptions to satellite services and communication networks.

Aurora Borealis Captured in Arouca
Aurora borealis captured in the Panorâmica do Detrelo da Malhada, Arouca. Photo by Carlos Neto.

Comments

0

Join Our Community

Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!

Newsletter

Subscribe our newsletter to receive our daily digested news

Join our newsletter and get the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox.

OR
PortugalToday.news logo

PortugalToday.news

Get PortugalToday.news on your phone!

Other Latest News

Sócrates Fined €2000 in a Week for Wasting Court Time - A Political Drama Unfolds

Sócrates Fined €2000 in a Week for Wasting Court Time - A Political Drama Unfolds

38 minutes ago
830
Lisbon Municipal Assembly Recommends Mosque Construction in Martim Moniz Area

Lisbon Municipal Assembly Recommends Mosque Construction in Martim Moniz Area

2 hours ago
880
Algarve Sea Temperatures Hit Record Highs - A Marine Heatwave Alert

Algarve Sea Temperatures Hit Record Highs - A Marine Heatwave Alert

4 hours ago
970
Lisboa Shocker: PSP Nabs Four East European Pickpockets Targeting American Tourist

Lisboa Shocker: PSP Nabs Four East European Pickpockets Targeting American Tourist

7 hours ago
1050
Tragedy in Albufeira: Two Tourists Found Dead in Hotel Pool

Tragedy in Albufeira: Two Tourists Found Dead in Hotel Pool

8 hours ago
1070
Shocking Corruption Raid: PJ Targets Loures Municipal Police

Shocking Corruption Raid: PJ Targets Loures Municipal Police

10 hours ago
950
Court Halts Demolition of Shanties in Loures' Talude Militar - Residents Relieved

Court Halts Demolition of Shanties in Loures' Talude Militar - Residents Relieved

11 hours ago
910
Exclusive Footage: Police Break into Boavista Football Club in Economic Crime Raid

Exclusive Footage: Police Break into Boavista Football Club in Economic Crime Raid

14 hours ago
1010
Portugal's Strategic Plan to Meet NATO Defence Spending Target by 2035 Without Financial Strain

Portugal's Strategic Plan to Meet NATO Defence Spending Target by 2035 Without Financial Strain

1 day ago
910
64 Shanties Demolished in Loures: Residents Left Homeless and Heartbroken

64 Shanties Demolished in Loures: Residents Left Homeless and Heartbroken

15 hours ago
940
Uncontrolled Bus Crashes into Lisbon Shop: Shocking Footage Inside

Uncontrolled Bus Crashes into Lisbon Shop: Shocking Footage Inside

1 day ago
980
António Filipe Emerges as the Democrats' Candidate, Distancing Himself from Marcelo

António Filipe Emerges as the Democrats' Candidate, Distancing Himself from Marcelo

21 hours ago
970
University Rectors Argue Against Generalizing 'University' Title for All Higher Education Institutions

University Rectors Argue Against Generalizing 'University' Title for All Higher Education Institutions

23 hours ago
980
Lisbon Police Officer Suspended for 75 Days After Assaulting Tuk-Tuk Driver

Lisbon Police Officer Suspended for 75 Days After Assaulting Tuk-Tuk Driver

1 day ago
1000
University Name for All Higher Education Institutions? Five Rectors Challenge Government's Proposal

University Name for All Higher Education Institutions? Five Rectors Challenge Government's Proposal

1 day ago
880
CTP President Asserts TAP Will Be Sold at Fair Market Value, Not at a Discount

CTP President Asserts TAP Will Be Sold at Fair Market Value, Not at a Discount

1 day ago
940
Ex-Driver of Eduardo Cabrita Sentenced to 14 Months Suspended Prison Term - Shocking Details Inside

Ex-Driver of Eduardo Cabrita Sentenced to 14 Months Suspended Prison Term - Shocking Details Inside

1 day ago
930
“Where Will I Stay Now?”: Loures Council Forcibly Demolishes Shacks Amid Strong Opposition

“Where Will I Stay Now?”: Loures Council Forcibly Demolishes Shacks Amid Strong Opposition

1 day ago
1030
Martial Arts Threat in Lisbon: Man Arrested for Stealing Electric Bike

Martial Arts Threat in Lisbon: Man Arrested for Stealing Electric Bike

1 day ago
880
Martial Arts Threat Used in Lisbon Electric Bike Robbery - Suspect Behind Bars

Martial Arts Threat Used in Lisbon Electric Bike Robbery - Suspect Behind Bars

1 day ago
1020
Residents of Talude Militar Neighborhood Stand Against House Demolitions: "They'll Have to Kill People Today"

Residents of Talude Militar Neighborhood Stand Against House Demolitions: "They'll Have to Kill People Today"

1 day ago
950
Sintra's New Hospital Opens Its Doors After Nearly Four Years of Construction

Sintra's New Hospital Opens Its Doors After Nearly Four Years of Construction

1 day ago
980
Lisbon Weather Update: Cloudy Skies with a High of 22ºC

Lisbon Weather Update: Cloudy Skies with a High of 22ºC

2 days ago
870
Former Health Secretary Set to Lead Lisbon Metro - A New Chapter Begins

Former Health Secretary Set to Lead Lisbon Metro - A New Chapter Begins

2 days ago
1000
Lisbon's New Airport to Feature Shorter Runways and Direct Boarding, Cutting Costs

Lisbon's New Airport to Feature Shorter Runways and Direct Boarding, Cutting Costs

2 days ago
1020
Shocking Abuse: Lisbon Police Officers Suspended Without Pay for Torture Allegations

Shocking Abuse: Lisbon Police Officers Suspended Without Pay for Torture Allegations

2 days ago
880
Dramatic Accident: Car Plunges into Douro River in Gondomar

Dramatic Accident: Car Plunges into Douro River in Gondomar

2 days ago
910
Liberal Initiative Seals Right-Wing Coalition in Coimbra and Forms Alliances in Sintra and Gaia

Liberal Initiative Seals Right-Wing Coalition in Coimbra and Forms Alliances in Sintra and Gaia

2 days ago
880