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Why don't we see auroras on the moon?
The auroras we see on Earth are a result of Earth's magnetic field funneling high-energy particles from the sun into Earth's upper atmosphere, where excited electrons in gas molecules create a glow. The moon has no magnetic field and no atmosphere.
Explain why auroras are seen mostly near the north pole and south pole?
An Aurora Australis or an Aurora Borealis occurs when streams of particles from the sun's solar winds hit the earth's atmosphere at an angle (as can only happen at the poles). These particles interact with the edges of the earth's magnetic field and when they collide with the gases in the ionosphere, the particles glow creating curtains of blue, green and magenta. An aurora is sometimes accompanied by a crackling sound. The Aurora Australis appears around Antarctica and the Aurora Borealis appears around the Arctic.
What planet is the weakest in the magnetic field?
The weakest part of Earth's magnetic field is near the magnetic North and magnetic South poles. This is where magnetic field lines intersect with the Earth, and where you are most likely to see auroras during periods of high solar wind activity.
What are you most likely to see meteor or meteorite?
You are most likely to see a meteor, which is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to friction with the air. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as a "shooting star." In contrast, a meteorite is a fragment of a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface, making it much less frequently observed.
Do charged particles from solar wind come closest to Earth at the equator?
No. Charged particles come closest to Earth at the poles. This is because the Earth's magnetosphere has magnetic field lines that are generated from and reenter the poles. As such, the area near the equator is most protected by the magnetosphere, as it extends outward from the poles, surrounding the Earth. And the magnetosphere is weakest at the points of intersection at the poles. When charged particles are deflected by the magnetosphere, they follow these magnetic field lines, and reenter our atmosphere at the poles. High-energy radiation generated by these charged particles interacting with gases in the atmosphere is the reason for the auroras (Northern and Southern lights). This is why, subsequent to a solar flare that sends a strong wind of particles toward the Earth, you are likely to see more intense auroras. Because of the nature of fusion (which makes the sun what it is, as an active star), the most common particles composing the solar wind are: neutrinos (neutral particles, very small masses), electrons (negatively charged, often easily deflected by the magnetosphere), and protons (positively charged, the largest danger to us from the solar wind, because they counter the charge of the magnetosphere and reenter our atmosphere most easily).
What two places on earth are you most likely to see auroras?
The Arctic and the Antarctic regions.
What two places on earth are most likely to see auroras?
The Arctic and the Antarctic regions.
Why don't we see auroras on the moon?
The auroras we see on Earth are a result of Earth's magnetic field funneling high-energy particles from the sun into Earth's upper atmosphere, where excited electrons in gas molecules create a glow. The moon has no magnetic field and no atmosphere.
Where can you see Auroras?
The nearer you can get to the north or south magnetic pole, the more likely you are to see them, but they are never guaranteed. You can access forecasts on the internet.
Can you see Auroras everywhere?
The aurorae are best visible from the Arctic and Antarctic Circles - and/or locations close to them. It's very rare to see the aurorae near the equator or latitudes as far south(or north) as say, Los Angeles.
Is it possible to forecast an aurora borealis?
We can't forecast auroras with any precision, but if you visit SpaceWeather.com, you'll see when the conditions are especially good for one. For example, if a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun strikes the Earth, auroras are quite likely, even if we cannot predict exactly WHERE they will be visible.However, auroras also sometimes appear even when we don't expect them, when no solar storm is in progress.
Would you expect to see auroras on the moon?
No, you would not expect to see auroras on the Moon as you do on Earth. Auroras are caused by interactions between the solar wind and a planet's magnetic field and atmosphere, which the Moon lacks. While the Moon does have a very thin exosphere, it does not possess a significant magnetic field to create the conditions necessary for auroras. Therefore, any potential auroral phenomena on the Moon would be vastly different and much less visible than those on Earth.
When can you see the aurora borealis in Pennsylvania?
It's somewhat rare to see that far south, but not impossible. As the sunspot cycle starts to ramp up towards the max in 2012 you can expect a better than normal chance of seeing auroras just about anywhere in PA. Even still, the auroras likely to be seen in PA aren't going to be the impressive displays you can see further north in Canada and Alaska. Probably what you'll see in most cases is a bit of hazy color along the northern horizon, best veiwed in winter, when it won't be mistaken for summer haze. Goto www.spaceweather.com to see when auroras are likely happening in Pennsylvania or anywhere in the world!
Why do the northern lights only appear where they do?
The auroras are the result of electrically charged particles from the sun being grounded out by the Earth's electrical field. The points of discharge are currently at the north and south poles, so that is where the auroras are most commonly seen. However, during intense solar storms, auroras have been seen much further south.
Auroras are caused by what hitting the atmosphere?
Auroras are caused by charged solar particles colliding with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen in the ionosphere, which is the highest level of the atmosphere.
When can you see auroras?
In the north and south poles.
Why can you only see auroras in certain places?
Auroras occur near the Earth's magnetic poles due to interactions between charged particles from the Sun and the Earth's magnetic field. This restricts aurora sightings to regions near the North and South Poles where the magnetic field lines are closer to the planet's surface.
