The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is a natural light display that is typically visible in the night sky in the polar regions. The lights are created when charged particles from the sun collide with atoms in the upper atmosphere. These collisions emit photons, which are then scattered and reflected by atmospheric gases and particles. The result is a beautiful light show that can be seen in many different colors, depending on the gas or particle that is being excited.
Auroras occur more frequently and are more intense during times of high solar activity, such as during solar flares or coronal mass ejections. They can also be affected by changes in the Earth’s magnetic field, which is why they are often seen near the poles. In fact, auroras were first observed near the North Pole, hence their name “aurora borealis”, which means “northern dawn” in Latin.
While auroras are most commonly associated with wintertime and Christmas (due to their frequent appearance in holiday movies!), they can actually be seen year-round at high latitudes. In fact, there is even an aurora season in Antarctica! So if you find yourself traveling to a far-off land this winter, keep your eyes peeled for one of nature’s most spectacular shows.