The Northern Lights are created by interactions between the Earth’s magnetic field and charged particles from the sun, known as solar wind. This spectacular light show occurs when:
- Solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere
- These collisions cause atoms to become excited or ionized
- The atoms release energy in the form of light
Different colors appear based on which atmospheric gases are struck:
- Green: Oxygen at lower altitudes (most common)
- Red: Oxygen at higher altitudes
- Purple/Blue: Nitrogen
The displays are typically visible in a region called the ‘aurora zone,’ which lies 60-75 degrees north latitude, but strong solar activity can make them visible at lower latitudes.