Northern Lights in Mallorca: Myth or Reality?

Northern Lights in Mallorca: Myth or Reality?

When we think of the Northern Lights, we often imagine winter landscapes in high latitudes; our imagination takes us to Norway, Iceland, or Canada. However, in recent times, rumors and photos have been circulating on social media suggesting the possibility of witnessing this phenomenon much further south, in places like Mallorca.

This year, after 85 years, a geomagnetic storm lit up the sky over Mallorca.

Is this possible, or are we dealing with a modern myth?

On the night of Friday, May 10th, a Northern Lights display surprised both residents and tourists alike.

This celestial spectacle, visible from several points across the Balearic Islands, hadn’t been seen in the region for nearly 90 years. The last time Mallorca witnessed the Northern Lights was in 1938, during the height of the Spanish Civil War.

The appearance of the Northern Lights at such low latitudes is an extremely rare event, caused this time by an unusual geomagnetic storm that allowed auroras to be seen in various parts of Spain and other regions in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Balearic Islands, the sky was flooded with lilac, reddish, and orange hues—a phenomenon with both an astronomical and meteorological explanation.

The combination of intense solar activity and the region’s specific atmospheric conditions were key to this spectacular display over the skies of Mallorca.

Dozens of people, including amateur and professional astronomers, captured the event from various points on the island. The Mallorca Astronomical Observatory managed to obtain several stunning images of the aurora.

But what are the Northern Lights, and why do they occur?

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun (solar wind) with the Earth’s magnetic field. This process creates spectacular, colored lights in the sky, predominantly in shades of green, pink, and violet, visible in regions near the poles.

Auroras are more common and visible at high latitudes, within the so-called “Auroral Belt,” which primarily encompasses regions above the Arctic Circle. However, on rare occasions, they can be visible further south due to certain geomagnetic conditions.

Is it possible to see the Northern Lights in Mallorca again?

Until this summer, the last time a visible aurora was documented in Mallorca was in 1938, so it is unlikely that this phenomenon will occur again anytime soon.

If you are passionate about the Northern Lights, it is best to plan a trip to higher latitudes, where the chance of seeing this natural spectacle is much greater. Meanwhile, in Mallorca, we can enjoy other equally impressive astronomical phenomena, such as meteor showers, starry skies free from light pollution on our summer nights, and breathtaking sunsets from any corner of the island. Additionally, we challenge you to spot the elusive green flash that many seek but only a few lucky ones ever find.

See you under the stars!