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The Sun emits electrically-charged particles called ions, which correspondingly move away from the Sun in a stream of plasma (ionized gas) known as the solar wind. As the plasma comes in contact with the Earth's magnetic field, the ions will be agitated into moving around the Earth. Some of the ions become trapped and will consequently interact with the Earth's ionosphere (an average of 60-80 miles above the surface), causing the ions to glow. This is the same principal as how a neon sign lights up. As electrons pass through the neon tubing, they glow, thus producing the light in a neon sign.
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What makes Aurora borealis glow?
Energy coming from the sun.
What are the vivid displays in Alaska that glow in the night?
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.
Is the Aurora Borealis?
The aurora is a glow observed in the night sky, usually in the polar zone. For this reason some scientists call it a "polar aurora" (or "aurora polaris"). In northern latitudes, it is known as "aurora borealis" which is Latin for "northern dawn" since in Europe especially, it often appears as a reddish glow on the northern horizon as if the sun were rising from an unusual direction. The aurora borealis is also called the "northern lights". The aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October and March to April. Its southern counterpart, "aurora australis", has similar properties. The cause of the aurora is charged particles from the solar wind, accelerated by the Earth's magnetic field, colliding with atoms in the upper atmosphere causing them to glow as they release their surplus energy.
What is the auroras?
The aurora is a glow observed in the night sky, usually in the polar zone. For this reason some scientists call it a "polar aurora" (or "aurora polaris"). In northern latitudes, it is known as "aurora borealis" which is Latin for "northern dawn" since in Europe especially, it often appears as a reddish glow on the northern horizon as if the sun were rising from an unusual direction. The aurora borealis is also called the "northern lights". The aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October and March to April. Its southern counterpart, "aurora australis", has similar properties. The cause of the aurora is charged particles from the solar wind, accelerated by the Earth's magnetic field, colliding with atoms in the upper atmosphere causing them to glow as they release their surplus energy.
What are the northern light also known as?
The Aurora Borealis
Why were the northern lights named aurora borealis?
''Aurora'' means Dawn and ''Borealis'' means North. So basically Aurora borealis means ''Dawn of north''.
Can you see aurora borealis from the Aleutian Islands?
When the Aurora Borealis happen, they can be seen from the Aleutian Islands.
What is aurora borealis commanly know as?
"The Northern Lights" is Aurora Borealis's commonly used name.
When was Aurora Borealis - album - created?
Aurora Borealis - album - was created on 2004-06-22.
What does borealis mean in Aurora Borealis?
northen lights
How is and aurora borealis different from and aurora australis?
Aurora Borealis occurs in northern parts of the world. Aurora Australis in southern parts of the world. Borealis is more known because there are more places and people to see them.
How do you say Aurora Borealis in Spanish?
Aurora boreal, or even more technical, you can also say it as in Latin "Aurora borealis"[au̯.ˈɾo.ɾa.βo.ɾeˈa.lis]
