Aurora borealis and australis: how does the ‘lights in the sky’ phenomenon happen?

Aurora borealis and australis are visual phenomena very similar to a colorful light show. They are most commonly seen in the polar regions in February, March, April, September and October.

Easily visible to the naked eye, It is the result of energy from solar winds and friction between particles with the Earth’s magnetic field.

The scenery is beautiful and many people do tourism just to watch in motion. The origin of the name is the responsibility of the astronomer Galileo Galilei. Called the “father of observational astronomy,” Galileo wanted to pay homage to the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and to Boreas, the Greek god of the north winds.

But how is the aurora borealis formed?

Many people wonder how the aurora borealis is. For example, in the Middle Ages the phenomenon had a mystical connotation. These were believed to be divine signs.

The first records where we visualized the effect are 3,500 years old. Cave paintings made by the Cro-Magnon peoples have already been found in Europe.

An energetic gas with electrons and protons is emitted during solar storms. It gets a shock when it comes into contact with the atmosphere and Earth’s magnetic field, create a show of blue, red and green lights. The different colors are a result of the ions losing protons or electrons.

The shapes seen in the sky can range from bright spots to horizontal or circular bands. In any case, they will always align with the Earth’s magnetic field. The most interesting thing is that the aurora borealis can occur on other planets close to the sun, such as Venus and Mars.

What is the difference between aurora borealis and aurora australis?

Explaining the differences between auroras is simple. Australians Occurs in the Southern Hemisphere of the EarthIt can be seen in Antarctica, Patagonia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Jboreals occur in the Northern Hemisphereit is best observed in Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Siberia, Greenland and Canada.

Scientists even defended the thesis that both aurora would occur simultaneously, like a kind of mirror. This hypothesis was dropped from a study NASA presented in 2009.

Experts have determined that their movement is in opposite directions – boreal in the opposite direction, towards the Sun as australia.

Anyone who wants to have the opportunity to see this phenomenon up close should be smart. Aurora borealis is much simpler to see than australis. This is because australis is best seen in Antarctica. requiring you to be well positioned and in a very cold part of the ocean.

What is the best way to follow the Northern Lights?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the first months of the year are the most favorable. January, February and March are the periods when the snowfall is the least, the skies are cleaner and the effect is easier to see.

Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Alaska, Finland, Scotland, Russia, Iceland, Greenland and Canada where the aurora borealis would be better exposed to the enthusiast.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the aurora australis is best seen during the winter months, between late June and late September.

Antarctica, Patagonia, Tasmania, and New Zealand are the best places to see Antarctica, especially where the lights appear more colorful and are more visible due to the absence of large buildings.

Those who have had the opportunity to see it up close say that following the phenomenon of “lights in the sky” is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Travel agencies often prefer to organize groups for the adventure of following the phenomenon.

The main reason is the casualties temperatures and places that can be challenging.

Discover 3 facts about the “lights in the sky” phenomenon

1. Harmful potential

Auroras need the driving force of the solar wind to form. Despite everything, wind has the potential to damageas well as affecting the operation of satellites and submarines.

Something A damaging effect of this kind occurred in 1859 and caused interference with telegraphs in the Northern Hemisphere. The situation was called the “Carrington Incident.”

2. The sound of the northern lights

A group of researchers at Aalto University in Finland conducted research that determined that the aurora borealis can “radiate” sounds.

What the scientists detected were audible noises caused by energized particles from the Sun. The sound is similar to a short and soft “clap”.

3. A fast-moving phenomenon

Scientists have managed to measure the speed reached by the particles emitted by the Sun. found the energy produced by the solar storm can move them at speeds of up to 11,200 km/h. According to calculations, this means that it will take up to five days for the solar wind to reach Earth.

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