Spectacular northern lights painted Helsinki's sky green on Wednesday evening. Multiple readers captured the rare celestial display across Finland.
Meteorologist Tuukka Keränen from the Finnish Meteorological Institute said aurora sightings have been possible nationwide this week. Clear skies remain essential for viewing the phenomenon.
"Seeing them requires breaks in the cloud cover," Keränen explained. Photographers happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Northern lights occur when solar particles collide with Earth's atmospheric gases. The planet's magnetic field directs these particles toward polar regions.
During strong solar activity, the auroral zone expands southward from Lapland. Darkness remains necessary for visibility, making polar regions ideal viewing areas.
Keränen predicts possible northern lights sightings across Finland through week's end. A rainfront approaching Helsinki on Thursday night may obstruct views in the capital region.
This widespread auroral display demonstrates unusually strong solar activity reaching southern Finland. Urban residents rarely witness such vivid northern lights due to light pollution and southern location.