Here we learn what causes the differentcolorsin theauroraborealis (northern lights) and theauroraaustralis (southern lights). Learn howauroracolorswork. See the chemistry and physics of the northern and southern lights and how theauroraworks on other planets.
The bottom edge of a green auroral curtain gets thispurplecolorwhen auroral elec-trons are accelerated to very high energy (Figures 7-8). On occasion theauroragets a deep redcolor. If you're seeing electric blue orpurpleat the base of anaurora, the Sun just threw a harder punch.
Mix and Match: The In-Between ZonesAurorasrarely stick to a singlecolor. Pinks appear where green oxygen blends with red oxygen or mixes with nitrogen'spurples. Oranges flicker in the thin altitude band between red and green oxygen layers.
The northern lights are not always green. Depending on storm intensity, altitude, and which atmospheric gases solar particles collide with,auroraborealiscolorscan range from the familiar lime green to deep crimson, vividpurple, electric blue, and an astonishing hot pink. Understandingauroracolorsmeaning gives you a direct window into space weather conditions unfolding 100 to 300 ...
The northern lights can be green, red, pink, blue orpurple. Here we look at the cause and meaning behind all the differentauroracolours. The shifting face of Earth's light show is miraculous.
A guide to the science of theaurorawhy it appears in different shapes and colours. Complete guide to Northern Lightscolors: whyauroraare green, red, blue, andpurple. Scientific explanation ofauroracolorsand altitude factors.
DIFFERENTCOLORSThecolorof anauroradepends on which gas is excited by the incoming particles and where that gas is located in the atmosphere. When a particle interacts with either oxygen or nitrogen, the excess energy from the interaction results in a burst of light. Oxygen and nitrogen can emit green, red, or blue lights.
The combination of the different amounts of gases can produce ... Blue andpurple: Finally, hydrogen and helium molecules can produce blue andpurpleauroras, but these colours tend to be difficult for our eyes to see against the night sky. Explore furtherAuroraviewing tips What are the northern lights? Photographing theaurora
