An aurora borealis is also known as polar lights, aurora polaris, northern lights, aurora, or southern lights, or aurora australis. It is a natural display of light in Earth’s sky.
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It is usually seen in high latitude regions, around the Arctic and Antarctic. A distinct characteristic of an aurora borealis is the beautiful display of lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals or flickers across the entire sky.
Where can I see the aurora borealis?
You can see the aurora borealis at Fairbanks in Alaska, Yellowknife in Canada, Tromsø in Norway, Northern Sweden and Finland, Greenland, Tasmania and New Zealand.
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Why is aurora borealis so special?
Polar lights (aurora polaris) are a natural phenomenon that can be quite a sight! They are found in both the northern and southern hemispheres. When particles boosted in energy in the Earth’s upper atmosphere collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, they produce auroral light which is a sight to behold.
What is aurora borealis and why does it happen?
Aurora borealis happen when the solar wind travels past the magnetic field and goes towards the Earth, eventually running into the atmosphere. The protons and electrons released from the solar wind hit the particles in the earth’s atmosphere thereby releasing energy. This causes the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis.
What causes aurora borealis?
Aurora borealis is caused by the lines of force in the Earth’s magnetic field.
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