Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
Auroras: The Northern and Southern Lights
- Auroras are glowing light displays in the sky caused by charged particles from the Sun.
- They occur near Earth’s poles—called the Aurora Borealis in the north and Aurora Australis in the south.
- Particles from the solar wind collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, exciting them to glow.
- Oxygen produces green and red auroras, while nitrogen creates purple and blue hues.
- Auroras usually form in oval-shaped zones around the magnetic poles.
- Strong solar storms can make auroras visible much farther from the poles.
- They dance, ripple, and swirl, creating moving curtains of light.
- Ancient cultures saw auroras as spirits, omens, or celestial fires.
- Satellites and astronauts on the ISS also get stunning views of auroras from space.
- Auroras are living proof of the Sun–Earth connection, painting the sky with cosmic energy.