Northern Lights Alaska USA
Northern Lights are one of Earth’s most stunning natural spectacles that most people dream of watching at least once in their lifetime.
Aurora Borealis Saltfjellet Nordland Norway
But what exactly is the Aurora Borealis? In truth, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding this marvel of nature.
Northern Lights Kvitfvel Norway
However, it is understood that the phenomenon is caused by ‘solar wind’ – electrically charged particles that the sun flings across the solar system constantly – but with varying intensity.
The northern lights form when charged particles from the sun penetrate the earth’s magnetic field and collide with atoms and molecules to create bursts of light.
Northern Lights in Donegal in Ireland
The particles are drawn to the earth’s magnetic fields around the poles, which is why they are visible at extreme latitudes (including the southern hemisphere, where they are called the Aurora Australis).
Northern Lights in Aberdeen in Scottland
As they bombard the earth’s atmosphere, the particles ‘ionise’, releasing charges visible as light.
Norway aurora borealis
[…] photographer was baffled by the ‘returning’ amazing green northern lights since it has been a pretty quiet summer in northern Minnesota for seeing […]