Aurora Borealis

Aurora Borealis In this power point you will learn about the Aurora Borealis, how it begins, how it occurs, its folklore, and where you can see it.

How Auroras Begin They begin by Solar Flares or the Solar Wind. Solar flares occur when electric energy is built up in the solar atmosphere (the sun) and is released. As the energy is released particles like electrons and protons are being released into the space.

Solar Flare on the sun.

How They Occur The charged particles are picked up by the earths invisible magnetic field. The charged particles are guided along by the magnetic field. As they slide along they collide with gas atoms. This causes an explosion that gives off light. Oxygen atoms give off green, pink and reddish colors. Nitrogen atoms give off violet or blue colors.

Where You Can See the Northern Lights Aurora Borealis only happens in certain parts of the world. They are most often seen in the Aurora Oval of the world. They occur during the time of a geomagnetic storm. These storms mostly occur around the magnetic poles of the earth. Most storms happen around spring and fall. The best time for these storms and the Aurora is one month after the equinox. The best time of the day to see them is around midnight.

The Aurora Oval

Folklore The Aurora has amazed people for years. The Inuit people often wrote stories, legends, and poems about its beauty. Some interpreted it as an omen of war or destruction. Some explanations the Inuit have come up with are that its reflected firelight from the arctic ice, sunlight reflecting from the arctic ice, or reflection of ice crystals in the sky. Many have tried to explain it. But with our technology and tools, we can now understand it.

Conclusion Remember, you can see the aurora borealis at night. Try looking in the spring or fall at midnight. Remember they occur from Solar Flares from the sun. Nitrogen atoms give off violet or blue colors Oxygen atoms give off green pink and reddish colors.