Aurora Color Infographic

Discover how auroras work, what colors they can be, where to see them, and how to photograph them. "description": "One-page poster version. Aurora_Infographic_print.jpg (1024x1592) [691.3 KB] Aurora_Infographic.jpg (3859x6000) [4.7 MB] Infographics and source components explaining auroras.PDF versions suitable for printing are linked below.

Long poster version. Aurora_Infographic_Skinny.jpg (1185x9000) [2.1 MB] Aurora. The bright pink fringe on the lower edge of the aurora occurs when electrons strike nitrogen in the atmosphere.

(Credits: Canadian Space Agency, University of Calgary, Astronomy North) The northern lights most often occur at altitudes of 100 to 300 km in the atmosphere, but can sometimes occur at altitudes of up to 600 km from the ground. The aurora australis, or southern lights, occurs near the South Pole. Spotting them can be less common due to the smaller permanent population in the region compared to the areas near the North Pole, where the aurora borealis is more frequently observed.

One particular aurora color is the result of excited nitrogen being further excited by photons from the sun, or sunlight. This "sunlit aurora" typically occurs near sunrise or sunset and can be seen as a purplish color at the top of the auroral rays as seen in the figure below. Check out this cool visualization to learn how the northern lights occur, the best places to see them and more facts about Aurora Borealis.

The Aurora Borealis is a spectacular spectacle, but what's even more fascinating than its vibrant colors is the science that explains them. Unravel the mystery of the Auroras! Learn how solar activity creates the stunning Northern and Southern Lights (Aurora Borealis & Aurora Australis). We explain the science behind solar storms.

Figure 2. Green curtains and rays above the Brooks Range and Gates of the Arctic National Park. D.

Lummerzheim Abstract The aurora has fascinated observers at high latitudes for centuries, but only recently have we begun to understand the processes that cause it. This article discusses the mechanisms that are responsible for the colors of the aurora. Observations of color balance in aurora can.