Denmark is facing a rare natural spectacle as the northern lights will once again be visible across the country on Sunday night. This phenomenon, usually reserved for the polar regions, will be visible from Denmark for the second night in a row if the weather allows. Astrophysicist Tina Ibsen explains that the opportunity to observe the northern lights is due to a series of solar storms hitting the Earth. “We have experienced an unusually strong solar storm, the most powerful in almost two decades, resulting in northern lights being visible over large parts of the world,” she says. To have the best experience, Ibsen recommends moving away from the light pollution of cities. “Find a dark place with a clear view of the sky. It is important that the sky is clear, as clouds will block the view of the northern lights,” she adds.
The northern lights, which occur when particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere, will be visible a couple of hours after sunset and until the early morning hours. “The phenomenon is most intense around midnight and can last for three to four hours,” explains Ibsen. Although the northern lights are a common sight in countries like Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, they are rare in Denmark, where they are only seen a couple of times a year. However, this weekend provides a unique opportunity for Danes to experience this spectacular natural phenomenon. So remember to look up at the sky on Sunday night if the weather is clear – a magical experience awaits.”