11/07/2024
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of nature's most spectacular light shows, but what causes them?
They're caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. They occur around the North Pole when the solar wind carrying the particles interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field.
The colors depend on which gas is involved:
- Green and yellow come from oxygen at lower altitudes.
- Red comes from oxygen in high altitudes, which only occurs when the aurora is particularly energetic.
- Blue, purple, and pink come from nitrogen.
To see the northern lights:
1. Check the forecast at https://www.gi.alaska.edu/monitors/aurora-forecast
2. Check the weather. Are there clear skies?
3. Drive at least 30 minutes outside of major cities to avoid light pollution.
4. Bring hot chocolate, a blanket, and your patience!