Aurora Borealis over southern Poland

Some nights are planned… and some just happen.

This one definitely belonged to the second category. I was already in bed when I casually checked the Aurora Forecast app — and what I saw made me jump up instantly. The parameters were going crazy, far beyond what we usually get at this latitude. No hesitation — I grabbed my gear, got into the car, and headed straight out.

My destination: Sosina Reservoir in Jaworzno, southern Poland. A place I know well, but that night it felt completely different.

When I arrived, the sky was already glowing.

At first, subtle reds appeared above the horizon, slowly intensifying. Then came the greens — shifting, dancing, and stretching across the sky. It’s not every day you get to witness such a strong aurora this far south, and certainly not with this level of detail visible even to the naked eye.

The conditions, however, were brutal. Around -20°C, with everything freezing quickly — fingers, gear, even the tripod started to stiffen up. I definitely paid the price for staying out as long as I did, but there was no way I was leaving early.

Moments like this remind me why I keep chasing the night sky. The spontaneity, the adrenaline, and the reward of witnessing something truly rare.

Below are a few frames from that unforgettable night.