Rare Polar Aurora Lights Up Volgograd Sky
The flashes of the polar aurora appeared in the sky over Volgograd. Photographs of this phenomenon, usually observed at higher latitudes, were submitted to the editorial office of V1.RU by amateur meteorologist Anton Lukin.
According to Lukin, the rare phenomenon for mid-latitudes was captured deep at night in the village of Vodny in the Sovetsky district of Volgograd. The footage shows the night sky illuminated by crimson spots of the aurora, creating a simultaneously thrilling and frightening sight.
One of the reasons for this unusual phenomenon was a powerful magnetic storm that struck Earth on the night of January 19–20. According to forecasts from scientists at the IKI (Space Research Institute) and ISZF (Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the peak of the storm occurred between 3 and 6 a.m. on January 20. The indicator of geomagnetic disturbance strength almost reached G4 level and is expected not to fall below G2 throughout the day, indicating its exceptional intensity.
Scientists warned: «The moment of impact on Earth will be accompanied by strong geomagnetic disturbances up to G4 level. The probability of magnetic storms of the highest, 5th level, is about 10%. On the night of January 19–20, exceptionally strong auroras are expected, the signs of which, preliminarily, can be observed almost throughout the entire country.»
The last time an aurora was recorded in Volgograd Oblast was in October 2024 — then it was seen by residents of Uryupinsk.
