How an Aurora is Formed

The lights of an aurora are produced by collisions between fast-moving electrons and the atoms in the upper atmosphere.

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What is an aurora?

An aurora is a natural light display in the sky, most commonly seen in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions. Auroras are produced when charged particles from the sun enter the earth’s atmosphere and collide with electrons in atoms of oxygen and nitrogen. The resultant energy exchange creates dancing curtains of light in various colors.

The science behind auroras

Auroras, also known as the northern and southern lights, are one of nature’s most beautiful displays. These luminous curtains of color are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere.

The sun is constantly emitting a stream of charged particles, called the solar wind. This stream of particles is deflected by the earth’s magnetic field, but some particles do managing to enter the atmosphere. These particles interact with gases in the atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen, to create the northern and southern lights.

The different types of auroras

There are two types of auroras- Polar Auroras and Equatorial Auroras.
Polar Auroras occur near the Earth’s magnetic poles, and are caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with atoms in the upper atmosphere. These charged particles are funneled into the atmosphere along the Earth’s magnetic field lines. When they collide with atoms, they release energy in the form of light. The different colors of an aurora depend on the type of atoms that are hit by the particles, and how high up in the atmosphere the collision takes place.

Equatorial Auroras are a rarer type of aurora that can be seen near the equator. They are caused by a phenomenon called magnetic reconnection, which is when two opposing magnetic field lines join together and release energy. This process can happen both on the Sun and on Earth, but is more commonly associated with solar activity. When it happens on Earth, it is typically stronger during times of high solar activity.

Where in the world can you see an aurora?

The Earth’s aurora occurs in the high-latitude (polar) regions. For northern observers, the best time to see the lights is generally from September to October and from March to April. This is because the Earth’s tilt at these times gives the planet’s magnetic poles maximum exposure to the solar wind. The solar wind is a stream of particles emitted by the sun that constantly bombards our planet.

The best time of year to see an aurora

The best time of year to see an aurora is actually during the spring and fall, when the nights are longer. This is because during the winter, the Sun is too low in the sky to cause auroras, and during the summer, the days are too long.

How to photograph an aurora

At its most basic, an aurora is formed when particles from the sun enter the atmosphere and collide with gaseous particles. These collisions cause the particles to emit light, which is what we see as the aurora.

In order to photograph an aurora, you need a few things: a camera, a tripod, a wide-angle lens, and a clear view of the sky. You’ll also want to dress warmly, asauroras are usually visible in cold-weather regions like Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland, and Scandinavia.

Here are a few tips for photographing an aurora:

1. Use a tripod to keep your camera steady. This will help you avoid blurry photos.
2. Set your camera to a long exposure time (several seconds or more). This will help you capture the faint light of the aurora.
3. Use a wide-angle lens to capture as much of the sky as possible.
4. Be patient! Auroras can be faint and elusive, so it may take some time to get that perfect photo.

The myths and legends surrounding auroras

Auroras, often called the northern and southern lights, are one of nature’s most spectacular displays. These magnificent light shows are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the Sun that enter the Earth’s atmosphere. The particles follow the Earth’s magnetic field lines toward the poles, where they collide with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen.

The collisions cause the atoms to give off light, which is what we see as an aurora. The different colors are produced by different types of atoms: oxygen produces green or brownish-red light, while nitrogen creates blue or violet light.

Auroras occur more often close to the poles because that is where the Earth’s magnetic field lines come closest to the surface of the planet. However, they can occur at any time and in any place on Earth where there is a clear view of the night sky.

The myths and legends surrounding auroras are as old as human civilization itself. In fact, one of the earliest recorded sightings was by Chinese Emperor Yang Guang in 1027 AD. He reported seeing “a great red glow” in the sky that he believed was caused by fireflies.

A more famous legend comes from Finland, where it was once believed that foxes ran through the forests dragging their tails in the snow, creating sparks that lit up the night sky.

Another popular theory comes from Native American lore, which tells of a great bear who sits atop a mighty mountain and swipes at the stars with its claws, causing them to fall to the ground.

Aurora-viewing tips for beginners

An aurora is a natural light display in the sky particularly in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions, caused by the collision of charged particles in the atmosphere with atmospheric gases. The charged particles originate in the magnetosphere and solar wind and are directed by Earth’s magnetic field into the atmosphere.

Although often referred to as the northern lights, auroras can actually be seen over both poles. In the northern hemisphere, the effect is known as Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, while in the southern hemisphere it is called Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.

If you’re planning on seeing an aurora for yourself, here are some helpful tips:

-Check the forecast. If you want to see an aurora, you need clear skies. Monitor your local forecast in advance and plan to head out when conditions are favorable.
-Dress for success. Auroras can often be seen late at night or in the early hours of the morning, so make sure you dress warmly. Exposed skin can suffer frostbite in just minutes when temperatures are below freezing, so blankets or extra layers of clothing are a must.
-Find a dark location. One of the best ways to see an aurora is to get away from city lights. Once you’re away from light pollution, look up! The darkness will allow your eyes to adjust and give you a better chance of seeing faint auroral displays.
-Give your eyes time to adjust. It can take up to 30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to low light conditions, so be patient and keep looking up!

The best aurora-viewing spots in the world

Auroras are one of nature’s most spectacular displays. The ethereal light show is created when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. These particles are funneled to the poles by the Earth’s magnetic field, where they collide with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen. The resulting light show is called the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in the northern hemisphere, and the aurora australis, or southern lights, in the southern hemisphere.

Although auroras can be seen from many parts of the world, there are a few prime viewing spots that offer an unforgettable experience. Here are some of our favorites:

Alaska
One of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis is Fairbanks, Alaska. This “Golden Heart City” is located in central Alaska, under the “auroral oval” — an area that experiences more auroral activity than any other part of the world. Fairbanks is also one of the best places to view the Northern Lights because it has clear skies and very little light pollution.

Another great place to see the Northern Lights in Alaska is Denali National Park. This six-million-acre park is home to Mount McKinley (also known as Denali), North America’s highest peak. Visitors can catch a glimpse of Aurora Borealis from late August to early April. Since there are no roads into Denali National Park, your best bet for seeing the Northern Lights is to take a guided tour or hike into one of its many backcountry camping areas.

Canada
Aurora Borealis can also be seen in Canada, particularly in Quebec and Manitoba. In Quebec, head to Lac Taureau Regional Park for prime viewing conditions away from city lights. For those looking for a more “urbane” setting, Winnipeg — Manitoba’s capital city — offers ample opportunities to see Aurora Borealis from September to April. Look for them above The Forks National Historic Site or Assiniboine Park.

Iceland
If you want to see Aurora Borealis but don’t want to deal with cold temperatures, head to Iceland! This remote Nordic island country lies just below the Arctic Circle and offers stunning views of Aurora Borealis from September to April. One great place to see them is Thingvellir National Park — an area where you can also witness geologic history as it unfolds before your eyes. Another top spot for catching a glimpse of Northern Lights is Vatnajökull National Park — home to Europe’s largest glacier glacier (and some very active volcanoes).

Aurora-viewing FAQs

Q: What is an aurora?
A: An aurora is a natural light display in the sky, most commonly seen in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions. Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun interact with the upper atmosphere. The charged particles are funneled towards the poles by the Earth’s magnetic field. When these particles collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, they release energy in the form of light. The different colors you see in an aurora are a result of which gases are present in the atmosphere and at what altitude the collision occurs.

Q: When can I see an aurora?
A: You can see an aurora any time of year, but your chances are best during the fall and spring equinoxes (September and March). These are when the Earth’s tilt is such that the sun’s rays hit the atmosphere almost directly over the magnetic poles. However, you can also see them during winter and summer solstices (December and June), though they will be weaker due to theSun’s lower position in the sky. One thing to remember is that you need clear skies to see an aurora, so your chances are best away from city lights.

Q: Where should I go to see an Aurora?
A: The higher latitude you go, the better your chances of seeing an aurora. However, this does not mean that you need to go allthe way to Antarctica or even Scandinavia. Auroras have been seen as low as New York state in the United States and southern Chile in South America. If you want to increase your chances, though, head north towards Canada or Scandinavia or south towards New Zealand or Antarctica. Keep in mind that you will also need clear skies, so avoid areas with a lot of light pollution such as large cities.