EXPLANATION TEXT

WHY DO AURORAS
HAPPEN
Created by:
Roaliyah XII Science 5

Aurora is an electro-static
phenomenon, characterised by a
bright glow and caused by the
collision of charged particles in the
magnetosphere with atoms in the
Earths upper atmosphere.

Ultimately, the source lies in the

solar wind, a fast-moving stream of
particles constantly flowing from the
Sun that carries the Suns magnetic
field out into space. The solar wind,
typically moving at 250 miles (400
kilometers) per second, flows past
Earths magnetic field and molds it
into an elongated bubble or cavity,
compressing its sunward side and
stretching its night side far beyond
the Moons orbit.

Under certain conditions, the solar

winds magnetic field can merge with
Earths, creating electrical currents
that drive protons and electrons into
the polar atmosphere. Powerful
events occurring on the Sun can drive
enormous changes in the solar wind,
increasing both its speed and density
and enhancing its effect on Earth.

An aurora is usually observed in

the night sky, particularly in the
polar zone. For this latter reason,
some scientists call it a polar
aurora (aurora polaris).
Aurora Coloured light in the night
sky near the Earths magnetic
poles, called aurora borealis
(northern lights) in the northern
hemisphere and aurora australis
(southern lights) in the southern

 Northern lightsis the name of a light

phenomenon often seen in the
northern regions. The lights have
been around since Earth formed an
atmosphere The scientific name for
the phenomenon is Aurora
Borealis, aurora for short.

 The southern lightsor aurora

australis, most commonly seen in
southern New Zealand. It shows a
typical red and green aurora, the
nearly vertical rays tracing the
earths magnetic field lines.