The Mesosphere
Auroras form in the thermosphere layer of Earth's atmosphere. This is the layer where the gases are ionized by interactions with solar radiation, allowing for the beautiful light displays of auroras to occur.
The thermosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that lies between the mesosphere and the exosphere. It is characterized by increasing temperatures with altitude and is where the auroras occur.
Auroras can occur during the day or night, but they are typically easier to see at night when it is dark. However, strong solar activity can sometimes create auroras that are visible during the daytime as well.
Auroras occur in the thermosphere, which is the region of the atmosphere located between the mesosphere and the exosphere. This is where charged particles from the sun interact with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating the colorful light displays known as auroras.
In the upper mesosphere and the lower thermosphere, gas particles become electrically charged. Because these charged particles are called ions, this part of the thermosphere is called the ionosphere. In polar regions these ions radiate energy as shimmering lights called auroras, usually in latitudes above 50 degrees. The Aurora Borealis and its southern counterpart the Aurora Australis are formed high in the atmosphere in the ionosphere, which is sometimes considered as part of the thermosphere, the outermost actual atmosphere. Above this layer, the exosphere has so few molecules that they can escape into space. For more information visit the question "What causes the Aurora Borealis?"
Auroras form in the thermosphere layer of Earth's atmosphere. This is the layer where the gases are ionized by interactions with solar radiation, allowing for the beautiful light displays of auroras to occur.
Auroras occur in the mesospere.
The troposphere
The thermosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that lies between the mesosphere and the exosphere. It is characterized by increasing temperatures with altitude and is where the auroras occur.
The thermosphere is the atmospheric layer located between the mesosphere and exosphere. It is known for its high temperatures and is where the auroras occur due to interactions with solar radiation.
Auroras occur most frequently during the mostintense phase of the 11-year sunspot cycle.
Auroras occur primarily in the thermosphere, which is the layer of the Earth's atmosphere located between about 85 kilometers (53 miles) and 600 kilometers (373 miles) above the surface. In this layer, charged particles from the solar wind interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, creating the stunning light displays known as auroras, or the Northern and Southern Lights.
September to October and April to May
Auroras can occur during the day or night, but they are typically easier to see at night when it is dark. However, strong solar activity can sometimes create auroras that are visible during the daytime as well.
Auroras occur in the thermosphere, which is the region of the atmosphere located between the mesosphere and the exosphere. This is where charged particles from the sun interact with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating the colorful light displays known as auroras.
Troposphere: The layer closest to Earth where weather phenomena occur. Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer that helps protect Earth from ultraviolet radiation. Mesosphere: The third layer where most meteors burn up upon entry into the atmosphere. Thermosphere: The outermost layer with very low density and where the auroras occur.
Ionosphere of Near northern hemisphere polar regions