The Aurora Borealis displays different colors based on the interaction between solar particles and atmospheric gases at various altitudes. When charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, they cause these gases to emit light through a process called ionization.
Different colors appear at different heights:
- Green (most common): Oxygen atoms at 60-150 km altitude
- Red: Oxygen at higher altitudes (150-300 km)
- Blue and Purple: Nitrogen at lower altitudes
The intensity and mix of colors depend on the solar activity strength and which atmospheric gases are present at the collision points.