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The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a natural light display predominantly seen in high-latitude regions near the Arctic. It occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere, mainly oxygen and nitrogen, causing them to emit light. These interactions create vibrant colors, typically green, pink, and purple, that dance across the night sky. The phenomenon is most visible in areas like Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia, especially during the winter months.

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What is the cause of the aurora borealis northern lights?

It's the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles emitted from the Sun (the solar 'wind').


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.


Do streams of protons and electrons cause the Aurora Borealis?

Yes, streams of protons and electrons from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field to create the Aurora Borealis. When these charged particles collide with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere, they produce colorful light displays in the polar regions.


Are the Aurora Borealis on Earth caused by sunspots?

Yes, the auroras begin as sunspots, or solar flares. Charged particles stream out from the sun and collide with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen in the earth's ionosphere. The oxygen and nitrogen give out green, blue and red light, the same way a neon tube works.


Why is the aurora borealis often seen in the northern latitudes of Canada?

Spectacular aurora, or northern lights, seen by Colin Chatfield in Saskatchewan, Canada. Bottom line: When charged particles from the sun strike atoms in Earth's atmosphere, they cause electrons in the atoms to move to a higher-energy state.

Related Questions

What can cause an aurora borealis?

sunlight in the sun


What is the cause of the aurora borealis northern lights?

It's the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and charged particles emitted from the Sun (the solar 'wind').


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.


In which layer of the atmosphere are the ionized particles that cause the aurora borealis?

The ionized particles that cause the aurora borealis are found in the thermosphere, which is located approximately 80-550 km above the Earth's surface. When these charged particles from the sun interact with gases in the thermosphere, it creates the colorful light display known as the aurora borealis.


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 phenomenon do solar winds cause near the earths poles?

Solar winds interacting with the Earth's magnetic field near the poles create the auroras, also known as the northern and southern lights. Charged particles from the solar wind collide with gases in the atmosphere, producing colorful displays of light in the sky.


What is the difference between the Northern Lights and the Southern LIghts?

The northern lights are light you can see in the sky. They are created be solar storms. The storms hit the atmosphere and are forced to the poles. The storms mix with oxygen and tern into colours and that is what you see.


Do the magnetic reactions which cause aurora borealis affect earths rotation like an electric motor?

No, the magnetic reactions that cause aurora borealis do not affect Earth's rotation like an electric motor. The aurora is a result of solar wind interacting with Earth's magnetic field, creating light displays in the polar regions. Earth's rotation is primarily influenced by gravitational forces, not by magnetic reactions.


Where can the Aurora Borealis be found?

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.


How far north do you have to be to see the northern lights?

Yes and No. Northern lights are seen in the north, the same phenomenon (Southern Lights - Aurora Australis) can be seen in the far south but so few people live there that they are not as famous. The charged particles from the Sun hit the Earth's atmosphere and cause a current of particles to flow along the earth's magnetic field lines into the polar regions (north and south.)


Why is the aurora borealis often seen in “the northern latitudes of Canada”?

Spectacular aurora, or northern lights, seen by Colin Chatfield in Saskatchewan, Canada. Bottom line: When charged particles from the sun strike atoms in Earth's atmosphere, they cause electrons in the atoms to move to a higher-energy state.


Do streams of protons and electrons cause the Aurora Borealis?

Yes, streams of protons and electrons from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field to create the Aurora Borealis. When these charged particles collide with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere, they produce colorful light displays in the polar regions.