Halo of red light over a small Italian town (second sighting in 3 years)

📍 Location

📝 Description

On November 17, 2025, at around 10:45 p.m. local time, a large halo of red light appeared above Possagno, a small town in northern Italy in the foothills of the Alps. The event was captured by nature photographer Valter Binotto, marking the second time in about three years that a similar red ring has been observed from the same location (the first occurred in March 2023). Scientists identify the phenomenon as an ELVE (Emission of Light and Very Low-Frequency Perturbations due to Electromagnetic Pulse Sources), a rare transient luminous event triggered by a powerful lightning-induced electromagnetic pulse that excites atmospheric nitrogen and briefly lights up the upper atmosphere. ELVEs are extremely short-lived, typically lasting about one millisecond, and can span hundreds of kilometers across the sky. The 2025 ELVE is estimated to have spanned roughly 200 kilometers in width and to have occurred at an altitude of about 100 kilometers above the ground, with the lightning event originating from a storm near Vernazza, Liguria (roughly 300 km south of Possagno). The 2025 sighting was reported to be somewhat dimmer than the 2023 sighting. This is not evidence of extraterrestrial activity but a terrestrial atmospheric phenomenon documented by multiple outlets.

🔍 Circumstances

Event occurred on November 17, 2025, around 22:45 local time, over Possagno, northern Italy. A red halo was photographed by Valter Binotto from Possagno. The phenomenon is identified as an ELVE, caused by a powerful lightning-induced electromagnetic pulse; the ELVE reportedly originated from a storm near Vernazza, Liguria. The 2025 sighting is described as slightly dimmer than the 2023 occurrence. ELVEs last about 1 millisecond and are difficult to observe with naked eye without special equipment.

👤 Physical Description

A large, red circular halo (halo/ring) in the sky above Possagno. Elliptical diameter estimated around 200 kilometers, located roughly 100 kilometers above the ground. The ring appears to hover above the town and is associated with a thunderstorm distant from Possagno.

ℹ️ Additional Details

Explanation rooted in atmospheric science: ELVEs are transient luminous events caused by intense lightning pulses that energize the ionosphere. ELVEs can be accompanied by other high-energy effects such as X-rays or gamma rays, though this particular sighting’s ground-based implications remain uncertain. The 2025 event is described as similar to the 2023 event, both occurring from the same location. The sighting was reported by multiple outlets including Live Science and NDTV, which referenced Spaceweather.com reporting.

🔗 Sources (6)

👥 Community Contributions

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