What are the Northern Lights? – Aurora Borealis? I have 3 answers. A Northern Lights Infographic, a picture with an arrow, steps, descriptions and some technical information. A clear short answer that is to the point and a technical answer. The technical answer has been shortened and I have tried to simplify it.

Northern Lights Infographic

The short answer to what are the Northern Lights? – Aurora Borealis?

The northern lights, known as the aurora borealis, is an amazing natural light display visible at certain times of the year in the northern and southern hemisphere. This phenomenon occurs when electrically charged particles from the Sun collide with gaseous particles in the Earths atmosphere

Colours from blues, greens, pinks and violets that dance in the night sky. The best places to see Northern Lights – Aurora borealis are locations that offer little to no light pollution, clear skies and no rain or snow.

The technical answer to what are the Northern Lights? – Aurora Borealis?

The aurora, known as polar lights (aurora polaris), northern lights (aurora borealis), or southern lights (aurora australis), is a natural light display seen in high-latitude regions.

Auroras are the caused by solar wind causing solar disturbances in the magnetosphere. The disturbances can sometimes be strong enough to alter the path of charged particles in both solar wind and magnetospheric plasma. Electrons and protons, accelerate into the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere).

The resulting ionization and stimulation of atmospheric parts emit light of varying colour. The shape of the aurora is dependent on the acceleration of the particles.

Most of the planets in our solar system also have auroras.

This a short and comprehensive list of colours and types of Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis

So what are the Nights Lights types and colours. They are….

Colours of the auroral light

Red: Green: Blue: Ultraviolet: Infrared: Yellow and pink are a mix of red and green or blue. Other shades of red, as well as orange, may be seen on rare occasions; yellow-green is common.
Imagine the Aurora as a paint palette. When you mix these colours you get an amazing array of colours.

Aurora types

Diffused light appearing close to the horizon that may be hard to observe.

Bands of light that are similar to arcs, but with more of a curvature.

Arcs appear that extend across the sky.

Rays are curtain-like light and dark stripes, extending into the sky.

Coronas cover vast portions of the sky and extend from horizon to horizon.

The above descriptions will help you classify, describe and label photographs in the right way.

• Northern Lights Infographic – If you use or share my Northern Lights Infographic please keep my URL on the image and link to my website www.Anthony.fi . I own the Copyright of the northern lights image photographed.