Aurora

An aurora (plural aurorae/auroras) is an electro-static phenomenon, characterised by a

bright glow and caused by the collision of charged particles in the magnetosphere with
atoms in the Earths upper atmosphere.
Ultimately, the source lies in the solar wind, a fast-moving stream of particles constantly
flowing from the Sun that carries the Suns magnetic field out into space. The solar wind,
typically moving at 250 miles (400 kilometers) per second, flows past Earths magnetic
field and molds it into an elongated bubble or cavity, compressing its sunward side and
stretching its night side far beyond the Moons orbit. Under certain conditions, the solar
winds magnetic field can merge with Earths, creating electrical currents that drive
protons and electrons into the polar atmosphere. Powerful events occurring on the Sun
can drive enormous changes in the solar wind, increasing both its speed and density and
enhancing its effect on Earth.
An aurora is usually observed in the night sky, particularly in the polar zone. For this
latter reason, some scientists call it a polar aurora (or aurora polaris).
Aurora Coloured light in the night sky near the Earths magnetic poles, called aurora
borealis (northern lights) in the northern hemisphere and aurora australis (southern
lights) in the southern hemisphere.
Northern lights is the name of a light phenomenon often seen in the northern regions.
The lights have been around since Earth formed an atmosphere The scientific name for
the phenomenon is Aurora Borealis, aurora for short.
The southern lights or aurora australis, most commonly seen in southern New Zealand.
It shows a typical red and green aurora, the nearly vertical rays tracing the earths
magnetic field lines.

How does the aurora borealis (the

Northern Lights) work?

The aurora borealis (the Northern Lights) and the aurora australis (the Southern Lights)
have always fascinated mankind, and people even travel thousands of miles just to see the
brilliant light shows in the earth's atmosphere. The auroras, both surrounding the north
magnetic pole (aurora borealis) and south magnetic pole (aurora australis) occur when
highly charged electrons from the solar wind interact with elements in the earth's
atmosphere. Solar winds stream away from the sun at speeds of about 1 million miles per
hour. When they reach the earth, some 40 hours after leaving the sun, they follow the
lines of magnetic force generated by the earth's core and flow through the magnetosphere,
a teardrop-shaped area of highly charged electrical and magnetic fields.
As the electrons enter the earth's upper atmosphere, they will encounter atoms of oxygen
and nitrogen at altitudes from 20 to 200 miles above the earth's surface. The color of the
aurora depends on which atom is struck, and the altitude of the meeting.

Green - oxygen, up to 150 miles in altitude

Red - oxygen, above 150 miles in altitude
Blue - nitrogen, up to 60 miles in altitude
Purple/violet - nitrogen, above 60 miles in altitude

All of the magnetic and electrical forces react with one another in constantly shifting
combinations. These shifts and flows can be seen as the auroras "dance," moving along
with the atmospheric currents that can reach 20,000,000 amperes at 50,000 volts. (In

contrast, the circuit breakers in your home will disengage when current flow exceeds 1530 amperes at 120 volts.)
The auroras generally occur along the "auroral ovals," which center on the magnetic
poles (not the geographic poles) and roughly correspond with the Arctic and Antarctic
circles. There are times, though, when the lights are farther south, usually when there are
a lot of sunspots. Sunspot activity follows an 11-year cycle. The next peak will occur in
2011 and 2012, so opportunities to see auroras outside their normal range should be good.
There are many stories about sounds associated with auroras, but there are no recordings
of auroral sounds. Scientists can't agree on what would produce sounds during the aurora.

Aurora is a natural display of light in the sky that can be

seen with the unaided eye only at night. An auroral display in
the Northern Hemisphere is called the aurora borealis, or the
northern lights. A similar phenomenon in the Southern
Hemisphere is called the aurora australis. Auroras are the most
visible effect of the sun's activity on the earth's atmosphere.
Most auroras occur in far northern and southern regions. They
appear chiefly as arcs, clouds, and streaks. Some move,
brighten, or flicker suddenly. The most common color in an
aurora is green. But displays that occur extremely high in the
sky may be red or purple. Most auroras occur about 60 to 620
miles (97 to 1,000 kilometers) above the earth. Some extend
lengthwise across the sky for thousands of miles or kilometers.
Auroral displays are associated with the solar wind, a
continuous flow of electrically charged particles from the sun.
When these particles reach the earth's magnetic field, some
get trapped. Many of these particles travel toward the earth's
magnetic poles. When the charged particles strike atoms and
molecules in the atmosphere, energy is released. Some of this
energy appears in the form of auroras.
Auroras occur most frequently during the most intense phase

of the 11-year sunspot cycle. During this phase, dark patches

on the sun's surface, called sunspots, increase in number.
Violent eruptions on the sun's surface, known as solar flares,
are associated with sunspots. Electrons and protons released
by solar flares add to the number of solar particles that
interact with the earth's atmosphere. This increased interaction
produces extremely bright auroras. It also results in sharp
variations in the earth's magnetic field called magnetic storms.
During these storms, auroras may shift from the polar regions
toward the equator.