a phenomenon observed in France, a rare occurrence

It almost looks like a sunset. Sunday February 26, at 10:30 p.m., the aurora borealis lit up the sky between Nantes (Loire-Atlantique) and Poitiers (Vienne). Further north, in Pas-de-Calais, light pollution has failed to mask these pink reflections of nitrogen molecules. A spectacle as visible at Berck-sur-Sea (Pas-de-Calais). An amateur photographer, Florian Bigand, marvels: “It’s really a feeling of happiness, it was a dream for me to see the Northern Lights. […] I almost shed a little tear.”

“A big blowout”

On a webcam, the Côte d’Opale takes on an unprecedented color thanks to a particularly strong solar storm. Eric Lagadec, astrophysicist, explains: “In general, the auroras are seen more towards the magnetic poles. […] Last night there was a big eruption, which made it visible at lower latitudes. We have seen it in France, which happens quite rarely.” In Germany, Holland, Northern Ireland and Denmark, the same hypnotic spectacle unfolded. This phenomenon should continue on Monday February 27 from 9 p.m. to midnight.