As reported by astrophotographer and popularizer of astronomy Petr Horálek from the Physics Institute of the University of Silesia in Opava, the glow appeared as a result of an eruption released from the Sun three days ago from the active region AR3663.
In recent days, the mentioned active region on the Sun has produced other powerful eruptions associated with the escape of clouds of charged particles, part of which could hit the Earth in the coming days.
Photo: Petr Horálek/Physical Institute in Opava
Northern lights captured last night from Záhořice in Karlovy Vary
There is a chance that weaker auroras will be noticeable from our territory in the following days as well.
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Science and schools
“In addition to the weather forecast, those interested should also watch the so-called auroral monitors, according to which they can judge whether it is really possible to see the phenomenon, because you can never predict the aurora with accuracy,” advises Horálek, adding that such monitors include, for example, SpaceWeatherLive (in Czech) or SolarHam (in English).
Photo: Radek Kroupa, Czech Astronomical Society
It was possible to capture the northern lights from our territory last week as well: here is a picture from Thursday, May 2 (Mikulov, South Moravian Region)
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
In addition to the night aurora and the possibility of observing the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, Horálek also pointed out the capture of a new comet with the designation C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), which is slowly approaching the Sun from the distant bowels of the Solar System.
“That’s how I saw her. This so far inconspicuous elongated speck, which is making its way through interplanetary space in front of the constellation Virgo, could become one of the brightest comets of the last decade within half a year,” he described on his Facebook on Sunday.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is now visible in medium-sized binoculars (comfortably above 15 cm) as it sweeps across the eastern half of the constellation Virgo, also sporting a dusty tail when viewed visually.
“How long her promising cometary activity will last, no one knows. Since it is a comet that has never been near the Sun, it can also disappoint and we will hardly see it in the telescopes at the beginning of October. But there are certain optimistic scenarios that promise its brightening to be visible with the naked eye even from cities,” the astronomer noted.
According to the information on the website, the mentioned comet should appear in the autumn sky, mainly during October, in the evening sky after sunset. However, how bright it will be in the end is not known in advance – it is therefore necessary to take the possibilities of the comet’s visibility with a margin.
Not only the aurora borealis, but also astronomy as such is often very unpredictable.
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