By Sheetal Kumari | March 13, 2025
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a stunning natural light display. It occurs when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere.
(Image: Canva)
Solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun, collides with Earth’s magnetic field, creating the mesmerising northern lights in polar regions.
(Image: Canva)
Earth’s magnetic field directs these charged particles toward the poles. This is why auroras are mainly visible in high-latitude regions like Norway and Canada.
(Image: Canva)
When solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, they excite atoms. As these atoms return to normal, they emit light, forming colourful auroras.
(Image: Canva)
The colours of auroras depend on atmospheric gases. Oxygen produces green and red hues, while nitrogen creates blue and purple shades in the sky.
(Image: Canva)
Intense solar activity, such as solar storms, enhances aurora visibility. Stronger solar winds produce brighter and more widespread northern lights displays.
(Image: Canva)
Auroras are most commonly seen between September and March. The long winter nights in polar regions create the perfect conditions for clear sky viewing.
(Image: Canva)
Other planets, like Jupiter and Saturn, also have auroras. Their strong magnetic fields and charged particles create stunning light displays similar to Earth’s.
(Image: Canva)
Indigenous cultures have fascinating myths about auroras. Some believe they are spirits of ancestors, while others see them as omens or messages.
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Scientists study auroras to learn about space weather. Understanding them helps predict solar storms that can affect satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
(Image: Canva)