to see one northern lights or southern This is the dream of many people. There are those who travel to the earth’s poles only to witness them and see their return ticket date approaching before they have had time to hunt for them. This is what nature has. Seeing the aurora is not the same as going to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. They are not fixed because they depend on solar Activity, which follows certain cycles but cannot be predicted in the long term. But yes, a few days ahead. For this reason, we now know that from tonight and for several days, the auroras will be visible in their usual places, as well as in others are much further south or north.

This is due to the effects of A. solar storm which started on January 14th. The consequences on Earth, in principle, will not go beyond the beautiful spectacle of the aurora. It doesn’t look like it will disrupt telecommunications or anything like that.

Therefore, it remains only to enjoy the sky. If we are in one of the privileged places, this will be a great excuse to take a night excursion. If not, then for sure in the next few days we will have social networks full of images making us happy It’s not the same as seeing the northern lights in person; but, if there is no time to buy tickets, you will have to be content.

How are the northern or southern lights formed?

Before talking about the auroras, it is important to remember some important concepts about solar activity.

To start, solar flares These are sudden bursts of electromagnetic radiation that occur in the layer of the Sun known as the chromosphere. They can occur anywhere, but most often they appear in areas of much more activity, known as sunspots.

Vincent Guth (Unsplash)

As a result of solar flares, another phenomenon occurs, known as coronal mass ejection, consisting of a sharp plasma ejection. This refers to the fourth state of matter, besides solid, liquid and gaseous, which contains the elements that make up our star. All these processes are a prelude to what is known as solar storm.

Now, if this release of matter and energy reaches the Earth, it could damage satellites and electrical systems. However, this rarely happens, due to the fact that our planet is wrapped in a kind of protective bubble known as magnetosphere.

This screen is subject to the magnetic field created by the earth’s core, and is formed by invisible lines that start from the poles of our planet. acts like a magnet. Therefore, when plasma and radiation from solar flares hit the shield, they are automatically deflected. to the poles. Once there, they excite the particles present in the atmosphere, causing the emission of those luminous flashes that we know as auroras. If this happens at the north pole, we will be in front of Northern lights and if it happens in the south, australian lights

Different colours

As for the colors of the auroras, they are due atmospheric composition where they occur. If mainly carbon atoms are excited oxygentones will prevail green and yellow. On the other hand, if we have another northern lights reddish or bluishthis will be because there is more in the atmosphere nitrogen.

In short, no two auroras are the same and that is what makes them such a great sight to behold.

This time they will happen in rare places

The auroras to come are bound to solar flare happened around the spot AP3182. This caused an explosion of radiation and matter directed directly towards the Earth’s magnetosphere, at the point where it is expected to auroral activity.

In fact, according to scientists, they can be seen in unusual places. For example, in Europe, the northern lights can be seen far to the south. Northern England or Denmark. In the United States, you can see some in Seattle, Des Moines, Chicago, Cleveland and Boston. This is something very rare. You can also see the Northern Lights in places like Tasmania or South Island of New Zealand. They are usually found much further south.

These are predictions, although we will have to wait to see what actually happens. Whatever the case, it looks like a big show is coming.

Source: Hiper Textual

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