The aurora borealis (Northern Lights) occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Different colors appear based on which atmospheric gases are struck and at what altitude:
- Green: Oxygen atoms at 60-150 km altitude (most common)
- Red: Oxygen at higher altitudes (150-300 km)
- Blue/Purple: Nitrogen molecules
- Pink: A mixture of nitrogen and oxygen reactions
The intensity and variety of colors depend on solar activity and the strength of Earth’s magnetic field. The most spectacular displays occur during intense solar storms, when more charged particles interact with our atmosphere, creating dynamic curtains of multiple colors.