Yes it is fantastic. The aurora is created when a large number of electrically charged particles (electrons) precipitate towards the Earth along the lines of the Earth's magnetic field at high speed and collide with other particles of the atmosphere. These shocks cause light emission in a process similar to that which occurs in a fluorescent tube. The color of the light thus produced gives information about the gases that are in the atmosphere at that point. The most common yellowish-green color is produced by oxygen atoms. The red color is also produced by axigene as well as by nitrogen. The violet color seen most often in the lower edges of the aurora is produced by nitrogen, as well as the color blue. It is the Sun that provides the energy and counteracts the appearance and acceleration of the charged particles of the aurora. Therefore, it is the "solar climate" that determines when auroras are produced. Some of the particles are emitted by the Sun and then trapped by the Earth's magnetic field. The majority are of terrestrial origin. But both carry solar energy and find their way to the polar areas where they are accelerated towards the Earth. We still do not have a complete understanding of what happens in the aurora.
You are viewing a single comment's thread from: