A magical night in May 2024 proved that the northern lights are possible to see even in Germany. When solar storms collide with Earth's magnetic field, fascinating light phenomena dance across the night sky. While aurora viewing was once an extremely rare occurrence in Central Europe, increased solar activity in the current solar cycle has made these celestial displays more likely. Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reveal how to successfully observe and capture these spectacular light shows.
The night of May 10-11, 2024, will remain unforgettable for many people across Germany. Green and red veils of light danced across the sky, with northern lights visible to the naked eye even in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. What was once an absolute rarity has become more probable due to heightened solar activity in the current solar cycle. However, knowing when to look skyward and what aurora enthusiasts need to consider is crucial for success.
To observe the northern lights, several conditions must align perfectly. Before heading out and directing your gaze northward, pay attention to these essential factors: high geomagnetic activity, a dark and preferably cloud-free sky, and a good observation location with a clear view toward the north. Each of these elements plays a critical role in determining whether you'll witness this natural phenomenon.
Geomagnetic activity serves as the key factor for aurora visibility, measured by the Kp-Index. According to NOAA's official information page, when Kp values reach between 6 and 7, the aurora moves further away from the poles and becomes very bright and active. At this level of geomagnetic activity, it becomes possible for the aurora to be visible even from the northern edge of the United States.
For Germany specifically, this means that starting at Kp values of approximately 6 to 7, chances increase significantly, particularly in northern Germany. During extremely strong geomagnetic storms with Kp values of 8 or 9, northern lights can become visible even in southern Germany. These higher values create the rare opportunities for widespread aurora viewing across the country.
Even with high geomagnetic activity, northern lights can remain invisible if observation conditions aren't optimal. NOAA states this clearly: "It must be dark. Go outside at night. Get away from city lights." Light pollution represents the biggest enemy of aurora observation. While in Scandinavia the aurora often shines bright enough to be visible even in cities, northern lights in Germany typically appear much fainter.
A dark location far from streetlights and urban illumination is therefore essential for successful viewing. The viewing direction proves equally important. NOAA advises that from a suitable vantage point, you can even see northern lights occurring 1,000 kilometers further north. An elevated position with an unobstructed view of the northern horizon—such as on a hill or along the coast—significantly increases your chances of success.
Photographing the colorful northern lights can preserve these impressive and rare sights. NASA provides specific tips for capturing this celestial spectacle with both cameras and smartphones. For camera photography, set the focus to manual and adjust it to infinity if your camera allows this setting. Open the aperture as wide as possible to quickly capture as much light as possible.
NASA recommends setting the ISO between 800 and 1600 and the exposure time to five to ten seconds. If shots appear too bright, reduce either ISO or exposure time. If images seem too dark, increase ISO or exposure time accordingly. When the northern lights move quickly, reduce exposure time and increase ISO instead. A tripod should always be used to ensure sharp images during these longer exposures.
Smartphone photography requires selecting night mode or manual mode when available. If you can manually adjust settings, choose the largest available aperture. NASA recommends an ISO around 800 and an exposure time of five seconds. Because images can easily blur with these settings, use a tripod or lean your smartphone against something stable. If colors don't appear correct, experiment with ISO and exposure time until they match reality. Alternatively, NASA suggests setting the white balance to 3500K for better color accuracy.
To determine whether northern lights are actually shining in the sky, you can use your smartphone camera as a detection tool. Take a quick photo with longer exposure time, and you may see the glowing colors of the aurora on your display. This works because smartphone cameras can often capture weak northern lights better than the human eye can perceive them.
To avoid missing any aurora opportunities, utilize northern lights warning apps or websites like aurorasaurus.org or polarlicht-vorhersage.de. The aurora forum of AKM e.V. also provides information about current northern lights visibility, along with various webcams that monitor aurora activity in real-time.
Despite all preparation efforts, observing northern lights in Germany remains a game of patience. Clear skies, high geomagnetic activity, and the right location must come together simultaneously. However, those who follow expert advice and keep forecast tools in view significantly increase their chances of witnessing this fascinating natural spectacle. When all conditions align, the only thing left to do is look up and enjoy this rare and beautiful sight.
