Understanding What an Aurora Is
An aurora is a natural light display in the sky caused by charged particles from the Sun. When these particles reach Earth, they interact with gases in the atmosphere and produce colorful glows.
Why the Sky Lights Up
As solar particles hit oxygen and nitrogen high above the planet, the gases become energized and release light. This creates the green, red, and purple colors seen during an aurora.
Where Auroras Happen
Auroras appear mainly near the North and South Poles because Earth’s magnetic field guides solar particles toward those regions. The northern lights are called the aurora borealis, and the southern lights are the aurora australis.
What Causes the Different Colors
Different gases produce different colors. Oxygen creates green and red, while nitrogen produces purple and blue. The height of the reaction also changes the color we see.
The Simple Takeaway
An aurora is the result of solar particles hitting Earth’s atmosphere and making the sky glow. It is a natural, colorful display shaped by the Sun and our planet’s magnetic field.