Jan 20, 2026
Why the sky 'lit up' where it normally doesn't — and what this means for Earth
On typical winter nights, the sky above Europe usually behaves predictably: it gets dark early, the stars shine coldly, and occasionally an aeroplane leaves a luminous trail in the sky.
But in January 2026, something changed. Many people began to notice a strange phenomenon: the sky took on greenish, pinkish and even purplish hues. The Northern Lights, which we normally associate with Norway or Iceland, began to be reported in regions where they almost never appear.
It was not an illusion or a camera effect. It was space weather.
What exactly happened?:
On 18 January 2026, an active region of the Sun (identified as region 4341) produced a powerful solar flare of class X1.9, one of the highest categories on the international scale.
This type of rash is characterised by:
a sudden release of enormous energy,
an intense emission of radiation,
and, in many cases, the expulsion of a plasma cloud known as a coronal mass ejection (CME).
The following day, it was confirmed that this ejection was heading towards Earth. The result was an intense geomagnetic storm, accompanied by a solar radiation storm..
On 19 January, the following were recorded::
an S4-level solar radiation storm, considered severe,
and a G4-level geomagnetic storm, one of the strongest in recent years.
European space agencies confirmed that the event was significant and that the auroras were observed at much lower latitudes than usual. Sensitive infrastructure entered surveillance protocols..
Why does a solar flare cause the sky to light up on Earth?
To understand this, simply imagine Earth as a planet protected by an invisible shield.
1. Solar Flare
A solar flare is a sudden release of energy on the Sun's surface. It can generate:
high-energy radiation,
charged particles,
and, in many cases, a jet of plasma into space.
2. Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)
If this cloud of particles travels toward Earth, it takes between one and three days to reach us. When it does, it impacts Earth's magnetic field.
3. The Magnetosphere and the Auroral Oval
Charged particles are guided toward the poles by magnetic field lines. There, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the upper atmosphere, causing the emission of light.
The green color is usually due to oxygen.
Red, to oxygen at higher altitudes.
Violet or blue, to nitrogen.
When the storm is weak, this phenomenon is only visible near the poles.
When it is intense, the auroral oval expands and the phenomenon can be observed much further south. That is exactly what happened in January 2026.
Why the aurora appeared in unusual places
The key lies in the intensity of the geomagnetic storm.
In this case, it reached level G4, which causes:
a significant expansion of the visible aurora area,
more intense colors, and
observations in regions where they don't normally occur.
That's why auroras were reported across much of Europe, and even in areas where they are rarely seen.
The images that circulated during those days reflect a real phenomenon: a soft glow, sometimes barely perceptible to the naked eye, but clearly visible in nighttime photographs.
Is it dangerous for people?
The short answer is: no.
On Earth's surface:
The atmosphere and magnetic field effectively protect humans from solar radiation. Even during intense storms, levels on land are safe.
Where risks exist:
The effects are concentrated mainly on:
satellites,
GPS navigation systems,
radio communications,
polar flights, and
sensitive electrical infrastructure.
For this reason, these events are closely monitored by space agencies and technical operators.
Why do some people feel ill?
There is no scientific evidence that solar storms directly affect the human body.
However, some people report:
fatigue,
headaches, and
sleep disturbances.
It is believed that this may be related to environmental changes, atmospheric pressure, or individual sensitivity, but not to direct solar radiation.
Why these phenomena are now more frequent
The Sun operates in cycles of approximately 11 years. We are currently near the peak of solar activity, a phase in which:
sunspots increase,
eruptions are more frequent, and
geomagnetic storms are more common.
Therefore, we may observe similar episodes again during 2026.
Why the camera sees more than the human eye
Many people are surprised to see photographs of auroras that are more vibrant than what they witnessed in person. There's a simple explanation for this:
the camera captures light for longer,
it amplifies faint colors,
it detects wavelengths that are difficult for the human eye to perceive.
That's why a faint aurora can appear spectacular in a photograph.
Conclusion
January 2026 reminded us that we live under the direct influence of the Sun.
✔ It was a real and documented phenomenon.
✔ Caused by strong solar activity.
✔ Harmless to humans.
✔ Visually spectacular.
✔ And a natural part of the Sun's cycle.
Sometimes, the universe simply presents us with an unexpected spectacle — a silent reminder that our planet is part of something much larger.