In the small town of Tølløse, there was a great deal of attention focused on the sky on Saturday night. Around 70 people had made their way to Brorfelde Observatory in the hopes of witnessing a spectacular northern lights display. Despite the light not appearing in its most impressive form, the evening was still a memorable experience for those in attendance. The northern lights, which are a result of solar storms, had the potential to be visible throughout Denmark that evening, according to experts. Thomas Ræbild Juel, a nature guide at the observatory, explained that this time the northern lights mainly appeared as whitish shadows with a touch of red. “It wasn’t as powerful as hoped, but still beautiful,” he said.
Many of the attendees had prepared for a long evening under the open sky with beach chairs and warm blankets. Some local amateur astronomers had also brought telescopes to get an even better view of the celestial phenomenon. Although the northern lights were scarce, the evening was saved by clear stars, a visible crescent moon, and the melodic song of nightingales. Thomas Ræbild Juel also took the opportunity to give a demonstration of the Moon through the observatory’s large telescope, which was warmly received by the attendees. “It’s important not to be discouraged if the northern lights don’t appear. It’s about enjoying nature and the camaraderie that arises,” he added.
To increase the chances of seeing the northern lights in the future, Juel advised moving as far north as possible, staying away from urban light pollution, and arming oneself with patience. These tips will hopefully provide better opportunities to experience the northern lights next time, when the weather and solar activity may be more cooperative. The evening did not end until a little after midnight, when the last guests began to pack up and go home, filled with hope for an even more captivating northern lights observation next time. Thomas Ræbild Juel deemed the evening a success due to the good atmosphere and the lovely people in attendance. “Maybe we’ll see Aurora more clearly next time,” he concluded with a smile.