What is an aurora?
An aurora is a natural
phenomenon which is characterised by a display of a natural-coloured (green,
red, yellow or white) light in the sky.
It is a light show
which is caused when electrically-charged particles from the sun collide with
particles from gases such as oxygen and nitrogen present in the Earth’s
atmosphere.
Aurora is sometimes
referred to as ‘polar light’. It is predominantly seen in the regions of high
altitudes like the Arctic and Antarctic.
How auroras are occurred?
An aurora is caused by
the streams of electrified particles (which are emitted by the sun) trapped in
the magnetic field of the earth. It is produced when this magnetosphere is
disturbed by the solar wind carrying the charged particles.
Where it can be seen?
Auroras are seen in
latitudes of around 70 degrees. They generally occur in a band known as
‘auroral zone’. The auroral zone is 3 to 6 degrees wide in latitude. It lies
between 10 and 20 degrees from the geomagnetic poles.
This natural light effect is known as ‘aurora borealis’ in northern altitudes, while the effect in the southern latitudes is known as ‘aurora australis’. (Auroras that occur in Northern hemisphere are known as aurora borealis and auroras that take place in Southern hemisphere are known as aurora australis.) Aurora borealis is also known as ‘Northern lights’. Similarly, aurora australis is also known as ‘Southern lights’.
This natural light effect is known as ‘aurora borealis’ in northern altitudes, while the effect in the southern latitudes is known as ‘aurora australis’. (Auroras that occur in Northern hemisphere are known as aurora borealis and auroras that take place in Southern hemisphere are known as aurora australis.) Aurora borealis is also known as ‘Northern lights’. Similarly, aurora australis is also known as ‘Southern lights’.
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