The aurora borealis is a phenomenon that people rarely get to see, and it only happens in certain places. Or so you thought! There are many misconceptions about this beautiful phenomenon that people have been spreading for years, even though they may not be true.
Let’s clear up some of the confusion about the northern lights, shall we?
Here’s how the aurora borealis happens.
Aurora displays are created when protons and electrons stream out from the solar surface and slam into the Earth’s magnetic field. The air in Earth’s atmosphere is largely made up of nitrogen and oxygen atoms, and when the charged particles of the aurora hit oxygen atoms, a green and red light is emitted. When they hit nitrogen atoms, they emit an orange and red light.
The lights can move south.
Occasionally the northern lights get a little less northern and move away from the poles. If there is a lot of solar activity happening, the northern lights can be seen as far south as far south as Atlanta.
Auroras are visible from space.
This is what the northern lights look like from space. Satellites have taken pictures from space showing what they look like outside of the atmosphere and it’s just as gorgeous.
Cameras can see them better.
Since auroras are actutally pretty dim, it’s hard for the human eye to pick up on them sometimes. A camera with a long-exposure setting can capture exactly what’s going on better than our eyes ever could.
They are always happening.
Even though you can’t always see them, the northern lights are always putting on a show. It’s just hard for people to see them during summer months due to the large amount of pollution in the air. If you wish to see the show, winter is really the best time.
(via Space)
Well, we all learned a little bit today. Maybe next winter I’ll take a trip to Canada or Alaska to see them. Oh wait…winter in Alaska. No thanks!
