Aurora Color Guide

Learn how aurora colors work. See the chemistry and physics of the northern and southern lights and how the aurora works on other planets. Here we learn what causes the different colors in the aurora borealis (northern lights) and the aurora australis (southern lights).

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. Aurora is visible at mid-latitudes during the largest magnetic storms, but it is dominated by red colors.

In ancient times when the aurora appeared overhead, people often associated the aurora with good or bad omens and sometimes considered it a manifestation of activities of heavenly spirits or gods. The northern lights can be green, red, pink, blue or purple. Here we look at the cause and meaning behind all the different aurora colours.

Discover how auroras work, what colors they can be, where to see them, and how to photograph them. What is an aurora, and why do they come in different shapes and colors? An aurora is one of nature's most spectacular sights, a dazzling glow in the upper atmosphere driven by space weather. What Do the Most Common Aurora Colors Mean? Here is an overview of some of the most common Aurora colors and what they indicate about the composition of the atmosphere where the collisions are occurring: Green The most common color of the Aurora is a pale, yellowish-green.

This is produced by collisions with atomic oxygen roughly 60 miles above the Earth's surface. Red A deep, blood red. The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a natural light display caused by interactions between solar wind and Earth's magnetic field.

These vibrant lights are primarily visible in high-latitude regions like Iceland, Alaska, and northern Scandinavia. Their unpredictable and transient nature makes witnessing them a truly magical experience. The Science Behind the Glow How Auroras Are.

An overview of aurora with a palette.A few types of aurora including shades, tints and variants tinged with other colors.