The northern lights: aurora borealis Essay Example

that an arctic fox's tail created sparkling snowflakes that illuminated the skies. Others believed the lights were torches held by spirits guiding souls to the afterlife. However captivating these explanations were, it was not until 1774 that Jean Jacque Dortous de Mairan from France established a scientific connection between the auroras and solar activity. Thus, the true source of the northern lights lies in the sun itself.The sun emits high-energy charged particles, known as ions, including electrons and protons. This particle cloud, referred to as plasma, travels at speeds ranging from 300 to 1200 kilometers per second. This plasma is also called solar wind and takes approximately three days to travel from the sun to the earth. However, the earth's magnetic field prevents the solar wind from penetrating our atmosphere. Instead, it flows around the planet, creating an encasement around earth and its magnetic field called the magnetosphere. Acting as a colossal generator, the magnetosphere has the capability to produce ten million megawatts of electrical power.

Located approximately 60 to 600 kilometers above the earth's surface is the ionosphere, positioned at the bottom of the charged region. During a magnetic storm, the electrical current generated is discharged within the ionosphere. When these charged particles collide with the gases present in the ionosphere, they generate an illuminating glow commonly known as the northern lights. The color of this light depends on the type of gas these particles collide with. Nitrogen molecules produce blue and violet light, while oxygen generates yellow-green light, which is typically observed. Red light is produced at lower altitudes by neutral nitrogen. Hence, when we witness the aurora borealis, it indicates that both the

ionosphere and our protective atmosphere are being energized by the electrical power harnessed in the magnetosphere.The intensity of the aurora varies and affects different regions of the world to varying degrees. The sun undergoes 11-year cycles of energy production, with peak solar wind production resulting in the aurora effect. Sunspots, dark areas on the sun, indicate the presence of solar wind gusts. More sunspots on the sun lead to a greater number of auroras on Earth. Scientists anticipate solar wind reaching Earth 2 to 5 days after observing a sunspot, causing the appearance of colored lights. Auroras primarily occur in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, with the southern lights referred to as aurora australis. These phenomena take place along ring-shaped areas around the north and south geomagnetic poles. The viewing area for the northern lights spans northern Finland, Scandinavia, all of Canada, northern United States, Alaska, and Siberia. During periods of high solar wind activity, the oval can extend as far south as central Europe. The intensity of auroras varies from night to night, with late night through early morning being optimal viewing hours, although they can occur at any time during the day. The best times to observe the northern lights are early spring and late autumn. The northern lights are a mesmerizing spectacle that illuminate and move across the sky, capturing our imaginations. They have inspired countless stories and myths throughout history.The northern lights, also known as auroras, are a natural phenomenon that occur when cosmic plasma from the sun, called solar wind, collides with our atmosphere. This collision creates a colorful explosion. These distinct patterns, called auroral rings, can be observed on

clear nights when the solar wind energizes our atmosphere and discharges into the ionosphere. The northern lights are an extraordinary sight in the night sky, showcasing bizarre colors that illuminate and dance to life. They are caused by the particles from the sun and appear and vanish throughout the night.