New Year's Eve is an chance for many to celebrate and admire spectacular fireworks. This year, however, there is an additional reason to look to heaven. Experts indicate that after the fresh solar flares it is possible to see Northern Lights visible even in Poland. Weather conditions are promising, especially in regions with low cloudiness and distant from city lights.
What is the Northern Light and why are we watching it?
The Northern Light is simply a spectacular phenomenon arising from the interaction of charged gas particles thrown by the Sun with the Earth's magnetic field. These particles travel at tremendous speeds, reaching up to 72 million kilometres per hour. As they scope our planet, the magnetic field redirects them towards the poles, where they interact with gases in the atmosphere, causing characteristic colored lights.
The last days have been highly active in terms of solar phenomena, which increases the likelihood of magnetic storms. As Karol Wójcicki, astronomer and author of the profile “With its head in the stars” emphasizes, there is simply a real chance to observe Northern Lights in Poland. It is especially worth choosing places distant from city lights, where the visibility of the sky is not limited by light pollution.
Is it possible to ban fireworks in Poland?
There is no national ban on fireworks in Poland, although any regions have introduced restrictions. For example, in Lublin and Lubuskie voivodships there are periodic bans on the usage of pyrotechnic products, but they do not concern fresh Year's Eve. The deficiency of uniform rules means that decisions on this substance stay the work of local governments and voivodes, leading to a variety of regulations.
Despite many opposition to fireworks, especially from animal defenders and environmentalists, 2 draft laws on the regulation of their usage are inactive pending in the Polish Sejm. 1 of them assumes a ban on the sale and usage of the loudest F3 class fireworks, leaving the anticipation of utilizing quieter alternatives specified as cold fires (class F1) or fireworks intended for usage in closed areas (class F2).
What punishments do firecrackers face?
The current provisions supply for the anticipation of imposing a mandate of up to PLN 500 for disorderly conduct as a consequence of firecracking, and in the event of bringing the case to court a fine of up to PLN 5000. However, police and city guards frequently find it hard to enforce regulations, as fire-fighting workers usually rapidly decision distant from the scene.
It is besides worth remembering that the misuse of pyrotechnic materials can lead to major consequences. If firing fireworks causes a fire, the perpetrator may be charged with a crime threatened with punishment from six months to 8 years imprisonment.
The Northern Light and liable celebration
This year's fresh Year's Eve gives a unique chance to observe the phenomenon that appears in the Polish sky very rarely. To full enjoy this spectacle, it is worth reducing artificial lighting and noise, which not only hinders the reflection of the lights, but besides affects the environment and animals.
Observations of Northern Lights are not only a way to spend an unforgettable evening, but besides an excellent chance to reflect on the beauty of nature and the request to defend it.
Continued here:
Just today. Northern Lights Over All Poland
