Scientists have recorded an unusual red aurora over Japan, which may indicate that some solar storms are more powerful than traditional geomagnetic indices show. This was reported by Space.com, according to UNN.
Red aurora rose to record height
Researchers studied faint red auroras observed over Japan in June 2024.
According to Hokkaido University, the aurora extended to an altitude of approximately 500 to 800 kilometers above Earth, which is an atypically high figure for a storm that was not officially considered particularly strong.
The study's authors believe that even "moderate" geomagnetic storms can contain significantly more energy than previously assumed.
"I was very surprised because I did not expect such high auroras to appear even during moderately intense storms. This indicates that such storms can be stronger than traditional indices show,"
Aurora over Japan is a rare phenomenon
Auroras are typically observed near the Earth's poles and occur due to the collision of charged particles from the Sun with gases in the upper layers of the atmosphere.
Over Japan, such phenomena occur rarely, as the country is located significantly further south than the typical zones where auroras appear.
In Hokkaido, eyewitnesses recorded a soft red glow over the horizon, which differed significantly from the usual green "curtains" of the Northern Lights.
Scientists explain that different colors arise due to the interaction of solar particles with different gases and at different atmospheric altitudes.
Scientists investigated five cases of unusual aurora
The team analyzed five similar phenomena recorded between June 2024 and March 2025.
The study used satellite data, eyewitness photographs, and observations from Hokkaido.
Scientists suggest that the cause of the rare red aurora was an extremely dense solar wind—a stream of charged particles from the Sun that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field.
Research could help predict dangerous space weather
The study is being conducted against the backdrop of the peak of the 25th solar cycle, which has already caused powerful geomagnetic storms worldwide.
Scientists note that a better understanding of such phenomena will help predict dangerous space weather that can affect satellites, GPS, communications, and even power grids.
"As the number of satellites in low Earth orbit continues to grow, understanding these effects becomes increasingly important,"
The results of the study were published in the Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate on May 19.
Japan concerned over Russia's increasing military activity in the Far East24.05.26, 20:51