The first scientific documentation monitoring the phenomenon of the Northern Lights in the Sultanate of Oman

Weather of Arabia - The Omani Astronomical Society obtained the first scientific documentation from the US space agency NASA for observing the phenomenon of the aurora borealis in the skies of the Sultanate of Oman.

A team of astrophotographers from the Omani Astronomical Society observed mysterious colored lights on the night of May 12, following a strong solar storm that struck the Earth and caused the appearance of the aurora borealis. The team took pictures in Jabal Al-Sarat in the Western Hajar Starlight Reserve, and then contacted NASA specialists ensure that what was observed is the first scientific documentation of this phenomenon in the skies of the Sultanate of Oman.

The sky of the Sultanate of Oman is characterized by its towering mountains and enchanting nature, making it one of the main destinations for lovers of watching various astronomical phenomena. Space lovers can enjoy watching the marvels of the universe and contemplating its secrets in a number of regions of the Sultanate.

You may also be interested in: What is the phenomenon of the Northern Lights (Aurora)?

It is considered the first documentation of the skies of the Sultanate of Oman.. The Omani Astronomical Society documents the phenomenon of the aurora borealis pic.twitter.com/SLggpkdeez

- Omani Astronomical Society (@falakoman) July 1, 2024

What is the phenomenon of the northern lights?

The aurora borealis is a glow in the sky resulting from the interaction of charged particles coming from the sun with molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenon intensifies with increased solar activity, as solar storms throw millions of tons of solar matter into space, some of which reaches the Earth to form that distinctive light show.

Observing the “aurora borealis” and other celestial phenomena from various parts of the Earth is crucial to understanding the dynamics that govern our planet and its interactions with space and the sun, and also enhances our understanding of the relationship of the Earth’s magnetic field to the future of the planet and life on it.

• Monitoring details

Before observing the phenomenon, a large sunspot appeared on the surface of the sun, and on May 9 , scientists monitored 4 powerful flares from the sun that threw millions of tons of charged particles into space. After about 3 days, a quantity of these particles reached the Earth, causing the aurora borealis to appear in large parts of Europe, North America, and North Africa.

No visual monitoring of the phenomenon was documented from the Sultanate of Oman at the time, until a team of photographers processed and examined the photos he took on the night of May 12 last year. The team contacted specialists at NASA's Goddard Space Center, which studies astronomical phenomena related to the Earth's atmosphere and space weather, to ensure that this phenomenon was observed in the skies of the Sultanate of Oman.

The Omani Astronomer obtains scientific documentation from NASA for monitoring the phenomenon of the aurora borealis https://t.co/GKy4BbNynq #Omani pic.twitter.com/fDWIyekLWo

- Oman News Agency (@OmanNewsAgency) July 1, 2024

• Statements by astrophotographers

Qasim bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Vice Chairman of the Community Communication Committee of the Omani Astronomical Society, said that the images taken showed traces of colored lights resembling the aurora borealis resulting from solar storms. After research and verification, it was found that the aurora borealis peaked that night in various parts of the Earth, which is the first scientific documentation of this phenomenon from the skies of the Sultanate of Oman.

Ali bin Rabia Al Kindi, an astrophotographer and member of the Omani Astronomical Society, pointed out that the weather conditions were ideal for observing the sky, as the area was free of light pollution and one of the highest places in the Sultanate of Oman. The team was able to photograph what scientific evidence indicates is the aurora borealis from the north at 3:15 a.m. local time.

Ishaq bin Yahya Al-Shuaili, a member of the Board of Directors of the Omani Astronomical Society, explained that the Earth recently witnessed one of the strongest solar storms in approximately 21 years, which affected the Earth on the “G5” scale. He pointed out that theoretically the aurora borealis could reach this point due to the intensity of the solar storm, pointing to the historic Carrington effect, which is the largest recorded storm that the Earth witnessed in 1859.

See also:

What is a solar storm?

What do the colors of the Aurora Borealis indicate?

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