Stargazers across the country—alerted by the Storm Observers Network—ventured outside city limits and fixed their gaze on the northern horizon. Their efforts paid off: the aurora put on a mesmerizing display, clearly visible to the naked eye.
Astronomer Karol Wójcicki, author of the blog With My Head in the Stars, had joked earlier that Poland had witnessed the “last aurora of 2024” and eagerly awaited the “first aurora of 2025.” His wish came true almost immediately, as this brilliant spectacle graced Polish skies again, wowing those lucky enough to catch it.
But why did we see the Northern Lights in Poland at all? It all starts with the Sun, which releases a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind. When these particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field, they’re guided toward the poles and interact with atoms in the upper atmosphere. This produces vivid glows in shades of green, red, blue, and purple—depending on altitude and the gases involved.
Though the show has now passed, the memory of those luminous arcs and dancing curtains of light remains a testament to nature’s power and beauty—and a reminder that, sometimes, all it takes is a clear sky and a dash of cosmic luck for an unforgettable night under the stars.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24