Skywatchers across Russia were treated to a rare overnight spectacle as the northern lights coincided with a meteor shower.
The stunning display was visible from the western Pskov region and the southwestern Voronezh region to the Tyumen and Irkutsk regions in the Ural Mountains and Siberia.
Images capturing the vibrant scarlet and green auroras, along with streaking meteors, were shared on the regional Telegram news channel Govorit NeMoskva.
The rare celestial event was also observed in Ukraine, Belarus and Estonia.
The Perseid meteor shower, an annual event caused by Earth passing through debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle, was expected to peak around Aug. 11-12.
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are caused by geomagnetic disturbances, which the Russian Academy of Sciences’ solar astronomy laboratory reported have been active since Sunday. These displays are challenging to predict and occur only under specific conditions.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
