Aurora Borealis: Nature's Light Show
Spring is aurora season! Commonly called the “northern lights,” auroras appear as green shimmering curtains of light dancing across the night sky. Learn more about nature’s light show—and why auroras appear near the equinoxes!
Auroras, also known as the polar lights, are natural light displays in the Earth’s sky. Because of Earth’s magnetic field, auroras are most often seen in the high latitudes, near the poles. They can appear as curtains of light moving across the entire sky and sometimes appear as huge arcs and pillars of color that dance and float through the dark.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the event is called the aurora borealis, which means “dawn of the north,” or the northern lights.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, it is called the aurora australis, which means “dawn of the south,” or the southern lights.
Even the names are beautiful!
How are the Northern Lights Formed?
Auroras are actually caused by the Sun and solar activity.
- The Sun is very stormy, constantly sending out solar flares and high-energy charged particles that travel at speeds of up to a million miles per hour.
- “Solar wind” is made up of streams of these particles. As a strong solar wind gust enters the Earth’s magnetic field and collides with gases in the upper atmosphere, the gases begin to glow in a variety of colors;
- Auroras often start with a green glow. You could see shades of green, red, yellow, purple, and blue. The colors depend on the energy level of each gas particle and which gas particles are present.
- The movement is also beautiful. When the solar winds ripple through the magnetic field, the curtains of light appear to dance, brighten, or fade.
One of the most colorful auroras in recent history occurred in March 1989. It was visible in Canada and the United States and as far south as Mexico. The electrical surge that accompanied it was so strong that parts of Canada were blacked out all night!
The aurora borealis as seen from the International Space Station (ISS).
When to See Auroras
While auroras are triggered any time by strong solar activity, the traditional aurora-watching season is during the weeks before and after the spring and autumnal equinoxes, when we transition seasons.
- Why? According to NOAA, the times around the equinoxes are when the Earth is affected more directly by the Sun’s geomagnetic storms, which cause disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field. It seems to be related to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun and the position of our planet’s magnetic poles at a given time of year.
The best time of the day to spot auroras is late at night or in the early morning (from 10:00 P.M. to about 3:00 A.M.) Look north on a clear, moonless night from a dark place away from city lights.
Where Can You See the Northern Lights?
The auroras occur at high latitudes so aurora fans will even travel to Alaska or Norway to see the sight on a tour. However, if you live in Canada or the northern tier states (Maine, Michigan, etc.), you are likely to see the northern lights if you make an effort. Occasionally, due to a massive solar storm, the Lights will occasionally make it further south.
Some Web sites such as spaceweather.com will report on solar explosions and forecast upcoming auroras. NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center also reports on solar flare activity. If you have a shortwave radio or have a CB radio, any disturbances or skips are also a telltale sign.
That night, the next night, and even the next, get out away from city lights and look up toward the north.
Fun Facts About the Northern Lights
- No two light shows are ever the same.
- The most common colors are green and pink, but the aurora may also appear purple, red, blue, or yellow.
- A single active display can produce one trillion watts of electricity.
- Some people claim they have heard the northern lights hiss and crackle.
If you ever get a chance to see nature’s light show, don’t miss this spectacular opportunity!
Have you ever seen the aurora borealis (or aurora australis)? What was it like in person? Tell us in the comments below!
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I was on a commercial aircraft between Tokyo and Detroit somewhere above the Aleutians. We flew into night and at about 35 thousand feet and I was able to experience the Northern lights. It was magnificent.
Article very interesting and the lights are amazing. Observing from a different point of view and reading about the colors is another world. I'm "Color Blind" or a better definition "Color Deficient". I'm Red-Green deficient. I see colors, but don't concentrate or take note of them, just enjoy the beautiful dancing displays.
There are glasses selling for $300+ to somewhat correct, I've seen sunsets with them and wow, so much color. I won't buy as I'll probably loose them. I'm use to my world. Seen sunsets in the great states of WY & MT and even without those glasses, the sunsets are spectacular.
Color deficiencies are passed down from mother to sons. In my family color deficiency is rampart. Red-Green is more common. I feel lucky though, on some island in the South Pacific there is a lot of in-breeding and the population can see only Black & White. I don't and never complained about it. Because of the deficiency, I've been excluded from some career fields and scored high on tests in the Air Force for Electronics and Missiles, state cop, but had to settle being with KC-135 & B-52's. Funny, I inspected many color coded wiring and ran engines with color coded marked dials. You learn to compromise. My AF friends were always asking me what color of cars were. To me rainbows have two colors, yellow and blue, yet they are beautiful. I've done a lot of color photography, different mediums produce different observations.
For a funny, If I made up the color charts, "normal" people would be color deficient. They have special charts (numbers or letters) to indicate if you have color problems. When I see some numbers, the medical person would say, "yup, you're color blind". I except my world and appreciate being here some 83 years.
I've noted OFA has other articles about Northern Lights. I've been to Alaska but in the warmer months. Would like to see the Northern's there. Webs sites have videos to watch them.
Having lived in NH my entire life, I'm happy to say I've seen the Aurora Borealis twice. The first time was while at an outdoor field party in 1971 or 72. Someone pointed over my head and said "The Northern Lights!" Well, as most of us had never seen them before, out came a compass, and indeed, the light show was due north. It danced and swayed for several minutes, in shades of blues and greens, like a rippling ocean in the sky. Again, around 1989. We had been told to expect the Northern Lights if the sky was clear, so we waited on the edge of a huge sandpit, facing north. Not late into the night, the show did not disappoint! This show more in reds and orange/yellow for the most part. Like the glow of a distant fire. Just awesome.
Watched for about 15 to 20 minutes. When I continued on my way I noticed a car following and speed past as I pulled in my driveway. About 20 minutes later there was a knock on my door. County Sheriffs Department wanting to know what I was doing parked on the road. Turns out I had stopped by a house (unbeknownst to me) that had been burglarized a couple of nights before that and they thought I was the burglar coming back. Won't forget that for awhile. LOL
Decades ago, my nephew called at 4am, and said "Don't say anything. Just go outside". so I did. There were RED lights right to the ground. I danced in the northern lights! Nothing that spectacular has ever happened since!
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