Northern lights over Switzerland

(c) MétéoSuisse

The Northern Lights were briefly visible over Switzerland in the early hours of Monday morning.

It’s very unusual they can be seen this far south. 

The Federal Office of Meteorology says its due to exceptionally strong solar activity at the moment. They’re caused by charged particles coming from the sun and hitting the atmosphere. 

The lights visible from this country were redder and more purple than green commonly seen at the poles. 

This is down to the particles reacting with nitrogen. Green lights are when they react with oxygen. 

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