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Jul 23, 2024 · The northern lights are created when energized particles from the sun slam into Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph (72 million kph), but our planet's magnetic field ...
- Stefanie Waldek
An aurora [a] (pl. aurorae or auroras), [b] also commonly known as the northern lights (aurora borealis) or southern lights (aurora australis), [c] is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals, or dynamic flickers covering the ...
Answer. The northern lights, one of several astronomical phenomena called polar lights (aurora polaris), are shafts or curtains of colored light visible on occasion in the night sky. Aurora borealis – the Northern Lights. Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, 2013. LCDR Gary Barone, NOAA Corps (ret.), photographer.
The aurora's characteristic wavy patterns and 'curtains' of light are caused by the lines of force in the Earth’s magnetic field. The lowest part of an aurora is typically around 80 miles above the Earth's surface. However, the top of a display may extend several thousand miles above the Earth.
Jun 10, 2021 · The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a spectacular natural light display. The phenomenon appears as shimmering waves of light in the sky but scientists have never been able to prove how ...
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Jun 10, 2021 · Physicists have long speculated about what gives rise to this very specific light phenomenon that occurs in the Earth's polar regions. ... this week suggests that the natural light show starts ...
People also ask
Are polar lights a natural phenomenon?
Are the northern lights polar or polar?
What causes the natural light show in polar regions?
What makes the aurora borealis a spectacular natural light display?
What is the difference between Northern Lights and Southern Lights?
What are Aurora Borealis & how are they created?
6 days ago · aurora, luminous phenomenon of Earth ’s upper atmosphere that occurs primarily in high latitudes of both hemispheres; in the Northern Hemisphere auroras are called aurora borealis, aurora polaris, or northern lights, and in the Southern Hemisphere they are called aurora australis or southern lights. A brief treatment of auroras follows.
