Auroras

Auroras are natural light displays characterized by vibrant colors that occur in the Earth’s polar regions. These phenomena are primarily caused by the interaction between charged particles emitted by the sun—known as solar wind—and the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen, they excite those gas molecules, causing them to emit light. This results in stunning visual displays, often appearing as curtains, arcs, or swirling patterns of green, red, purple, or blue colors in the night sky. The most commonly known auroras are the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, observed in the Arctic regions, and the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, seen in Antarctica. Auroras are not only beautiful but also serve as a reminder of the dynamic interactions between the Earth and space weather.