Forecaster and astronomer explain bloody northern lights over Ukraine
The bloody northern lights were seen over Ukraine (Facebook/Serge Bikhunenko)
On the evening of November 5, a very rare phenomenon was observed over Ukraine. The northern lights, known as the Aurora Borealis, appeared in the skies over many regions of Ukraine, with some even worrying that it could've been God's punishment.
However, there is no need to worry at all, according to meteorologist Natalia Didenko and astronomer Volodymyr Kazhanov.
What you need to know about the northern lights
Didenko clarified that this phenomenon is neither mystical nor a divine punishment.
"What many have seen and even captured in photographs is not a divine punishment, not a mystery, and not something to be afraid of; it's the northern lights. Yes, it can be much more northern than this. Yes, it's rare in Ukraine, but it does occur. The northern lights occur when the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere are struck by solar winds, carrying charged particles from the Sun," she explained.
The expert also mentioned that such northern lights have been observed over Ukraine before.
"By the way, this is the second time we've seen the northern lights here; the first one was on April 24," the meteorologist added.
Northern Lights seen over Ukraine on November 5 (photo: social media)
Magnetic storm was the cause
Astronomer Volodymyr Kazhanov revealed that this unusual appearance of the northern lights in Ukraine was the result of a powerful geomagnetic storm.
"A strong geomagnetic storm (Kp7 at 17:40 UTC) occurred, linked to a solar coronal mass ejection that took place on the Sun a few days ago," Kazhanov wrote.
The scientist explained that the charged particles from the solar wind interact with the upper layers of the atmosphere, allowing us to witness the phenomenon.
Kazhanov advised observing it by looking at the northern sky, in a safe place far from light pollution, streetlights, tall trees, or buildings.
Astronomer explains the phenomenon of the northern lights over Ukraine (photo: facebook.com/vladmir.kazhan)
