Anyone familiar with the Dolomites knows that these mountains offer incredible sights. The enrosadira at sunset, the stars above the peaks, the play of light on the rocks. But there is a new and extraordinary phenomenon: red flashes in the night sky, similar to the Northern Lights.
A rare but increasingly frequent phenomenon
In recent years, those who find themselves in the Dolomites at night can increasingly see spectacular red and pink flashes lighting up the sky to the north. It is not the classic Northern Lights with dancing green lights, but something just as beautiful: SARs, red flashes that appear during solar storms.
When the Sun is particularly active, it can send “waves” of energy towards the Earth, creating these colourful lights in the sky. Normally, they are only visible at the North Pole, but when the storms are very strong, we can also see them from the Dolomites.
How can you recognise SARs and distinguish them from the Northern Lights?
During SARs, you see a red or pink glow stretching across the northern horizon. It does not move as quickly as the classic Northern Lights, but remains more or less stationary for hours, like a luminous halo colouring the sky.
Where can you see SAR in the Dolomites?
The Dolomites are perfect for observing these phenomena because the air is clean, there is little artificial light, and the altitude helps. The best places are those at high altitude with a view to the north and far from illuminated towns. Passes such as Giau, Falzarego or Sella are ideal locations for photography, but less populated valleys such as Val di Fassa or Alta Badia also offer very dark skies.
When do SARs occur?
The right time to witness these phenomena depends on the Sun. Solar activity follows an 11-year cycle, alternating between periods of maximum activity (with many sunspots, eruptions and geomagnetic storms) and minimum activity (with few sunspots). We are currently in a period when the Sun is very active, and this will continue for the next few months and years.
The best time is when there is no moon, so the sky is darker. And you need patience: these phenomena can change from one moment to the next.
To know when to look at the sky, there are websites and apps that warn you when solar storms are coming. When activity is strong, the sky can turn pink and red for several hours during the night. In these cases, it is a good idea to be ready with your camera charged, suitable clothing for high-altitude mountain weather and a charged torch. Only then will it be possible to capture this extraordinary natural spectacle.
One more reason to visit the Dolomites
The Dolomites are already famous for their beauty, for their pink rocks at sunset, for their landscapes that change with the seasons. Now there is one more reason: you can see phenomena similar to the Northern Lights without going to Iceland or Norway.
Imagine finishing a day of hiking, dining in a mountain refuge, and then stepping outside to discover the red sky. These are moments you will never forget.
For those who love photography, it is the perfect opportunity: the peaks of the Dolomites with red glows in the background create spectacular images.
The Dolomites continue to amaze with ever-changing spectacles. The red glows in the sky are just the latest wonder of these mountains.
When planning your next trip to the Dolomites, check the solar storm forecasts. You may find yourself in the right place at the right time and see something you will never forget: the meeting of the power of the Sun and the beauty of the most beautiful mountains in the world.
