Everyone is crazy about the Northern Lights, also because to finally see them it is not necessary to leave for Lapland or the Lofoten Islands. On Friday night the suggestive phenomenon enchanted the skies of Pesaro, like those of half of Europe, giving intense emotions to amateur astronomers and the simply curious. It all started around 10pm, when gigantic pink ‘festoons’ started dancing in the sky, making our gaze glued to the celestial vault.
An event as fascinating as it is rare, which sparked the rush to capture the most beautiful image, taking it from every part of the city. Particularly evocative are the photos by Niki Giada from Moletto di Pesaro and from Panoramica, but also those by Fabio Arcidiacono and Francesco Bocchino of the Pesaro amateur amateur group, taken from Roncosanbaccio and Monte Giove. For those who would like to see the evolution of the phenomenon, do not miss the timelapse taken by the camera of the Gap observatory in Coldelce (https://www.remidone.it/allsky/videos/allsky-20240510.mp4).
The “credit” for the exceptional vision goes to the solar and geomagnetic storm that is hitting the Earth these days. Storm decidedly stronger than “normal”, the most powerful of the last 20 years, which allowed us to see the wonderful auroras even at low latitudes like ours (usually they can be admired around the Polar Circle). The phenomenon lasted for hours, with three particularly intense peaks, except for a single interval between 11.30 pm and 12.30 am, but then it resumed in all its splendor. However, those who missed it should not despair. There are still hopes to admire it at least this night and next.
“The important thing – explains Giovanni Panzieri of Gap – is to keep the night sky under control in a northerly direction. Better if from a panoramic point and possibly with little light pollution. The Sun continues to be particularly active these days – underlines the amateur astronomer -, this is demonstrated by the numerous and very large sunspots, which can also be observed with small telescopes, provided they are adequately filtered”. Everyone with their noses in the air therefore, because the solar storm is still ongoing and could reserve other emotions. Francesca Pedini
