The northern lights are the Earth's fireworks!

By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff on 03.14.18

Word Count 409
Level 350L

Image 1: Astronauts Scott Kelly and Tim Peake shared a series of aurora photographs taken from the International Space Station in 2016.
Photo from NASA.

About 30 years ago, Don Hampton was a student. He lived in Alaska. Mr. Hampton would look up
at the night sky. Sometimes he saw colorful lights. They swirled above his head.

Mr. Hampton was not seeing fireworks. He was seeing nature's light show. It is called the
aurora borealis. This amazing show happens near the North Pole. It is also called the northern
lights.

Today, Mr. Hampton still lives in Alaska. He teaches science now. He works at the University of
Alaska Fairbanks. Mr. Hampton is lucky. He gets to see the northern lights 30 to 40 times a year.

"I never get tired of watching them," he said.

Elizabeth MacDonald is also a scientist. She works for NASA. It is the U.S. space agency. She
studies the northern lights, too. The show never fails to amaze her. It makes you say "wow," she
said.

We wanted to learn more. So we asked Mr. Hampton and Ms. MacDonald to help.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

What causes the aurora borealis?

The sun sends light toward Earth. Light is made up of

tiny particles. They mix with Earth's gases. This
makes them produce bright colors. The colors dance
in the night sky.

Where does it happen?

Auroras happen near the poles. There are two kinds.

The aurora borealis happens near the North
Pole. Another light show happens near the South Pole.
It is called the aurora australis.

You must be near the poles to see the lights. One of

the best places to see them is Alaska. Another is
Canada.

What are the best ways to see the lights?

It is best to look on a dark night. You want to be able

to see the stars. Winter is the best season for viewing.
Summer is the worst. That is because the North Pole
has long days during summer. The sun is out most of
the night. So the northern lights cannot be seen.

All you need to see the lights are your eyes. However, a camera can help. "Cameras have better
night vision," Ms. MacDonald said. "They pick up more color."

If you live far from the lights, can you still see them?

Yes, you can. Several groups use video cameras to record the northern lights. They share the
pictures on their websites. One of these groups is the Geophysical Institute. Another is AuroraMax.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

Quiz

1 Where does Mr. Hampton work?

(A) NASA

(B) AuroraMax

(C) Geophysical Institute

(D) University of Alaska Fairbanks

2 Which detail in the article shows what causes the northern lights?

(A) He was seeing nature's light show. It is called the aurora borealis. This amazing show happens near the
North Pole.

(B) She studies the northern lights, too. The show never fails to amaze her. It makes you say "wow," she
said.

(C) The sun sends light toward Earth. Light is made up of tiny particles. They mix with Earth's gases. This
makes them produce bright colors.

(D) The aurora borealis happens near the North Pole. Another light show happens near the South Pole. It is
called the aurora australis.

3 What is the article MAINLY about?

(A) an event

(B) an idea

(C) a place

(D) a person

4 Read the following paragraph from the section "What are the best ways to see the lights?"

It is best to look on a dark night. You want to be able to see the stars. Winter is the best season
for viewing. Summer is the worst. That is because the North Pole has long days during summer.
The sun is out most of the night. So the northern lights cannot be seen.

What is the focus of this paragraph?

(A) where to see the northern lights

(B) when to see the northern lights

(C) who studies the northern lights

(D) what makes the northern lights

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

Answer Key

1 Where does Mr. Hampton work?

(A) NASA

(B) AuroraMax

(C) Geophysical Institute

(D) University of Alaska Fairbanks

2 Which detail in the article shows what causes the northern lights?

(A) He was seeing nature's light show. It is called the aurora borealis. This amazing show happens near the
North Pole.

(B) She studies the northern lights, too. The show never fails to amaze her. It makes you say "wow," she
said.

(C) The sun sends light toward Earth. Light is made up of tiny particles. They mix with Earth's
gases. This makes them produce bright colors.

(D) The aurora borealis happens near the North Pole. Another light show happens near the South Pole. It is
called the aurora australis.

3 What is the article MAINLY about?

(A) an event

(B) an idea

(C) a place

(D) a person

4 Read the following paragraph from the section "What are the best ways to see the lights?"

It is best to look on a dark night. You want to be able to see the stars. Winter is the best season
for viewing. Summer is the worst. That is because the North Pole has long days during summer.
The sun is out most of the night. So the northern lights cannot be seen.

What is the focus of this paragraph?

(A) where to see the northern lights

(B) when to see the northern lights

(C) who studies the northern lights

(D) what makes the northern lights

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.