Facts and
Information about Aurora Borealis
Increase your knowledge of Facts about
Aurora Borealis with some brief, but essential information &
fast facts about this fascinating subject. Important facts, data
and info containing details of the description, name
origins and cause of Aurora Borealis, also known as the
Northern Lights. Details of the colors, cause and
definition of Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights. A detailed Fact Sheet covering a
whole host of topics and facts about Aurora Borealis, the
Northern Lights!
Aurora Borealis
The Definition of Aurora Borealis
The
name 'Aurora Borealis' is Latin and aptly describes the phenomenon
that is the Aurora Borealis! A basic definition of Aurora Borealis
is luminous arches or streams of light which appear in the in
Northern regions of the earth. The Latin words 'Aurora Borealis'
are roughly translated as ' Northern Lights' - hence the
alternative name! Aurora pertains to the lights ( the red dawn )
and Borealis pertains to the North. The term Aurora Borealis
was named by the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642). It
is interesting to note that 'Aurora' was the name given to the
Roman goddess of dawn.
The Legends and
Myths surrounding Aurora Borealis
Long ago the appearance of the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern
Lights caused a range of emotions in the people who witnessed then
- alarm, fear, wonder, dread and excitement to name but a few!
People did not understand what caused these amazing spectacles of
lights in the sky. The phenomena of the Northern Lights were
explained by different stories - the legend and myth of bygone
days:
The lights were God
or Goddesses appearing to mortals
The lights were
spirits or souls dancing in the sky
The red colour was
associated with legend or myths relating to blood - murder,
death, armies, wars and suicide
The Cause of Aurora Borealis
The
Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is caused when material
thrown off the surface of the sun collides with the atmosphere of
the Earth. The emission of light from atoms is excited by
electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines
The Sun and the Aurora Borealis
- Additional Information about the Cause of the Aurora Borealis
The sun emits
high energy ion particles. A cloud consisting of ion particles is
called a plasma - also known as the solar wind. The ion plasma
cloud, the solar wind, interacts with the edge of the earth's
magnetic field and some of the particles are trapped by it. These
particles are drawn magnetically down into the ionosphere, above
the earth's surface. The particles collide with the gases in the
ionosphere and produce the colors and the phenomenon called the
Aurora Borealis - the Northern Lights.
Definition of Terms!
Various terms are used to explain the Aurora Borealis. A fast
reminder of the definitions are helpful and a definition of each
associated term follows:
Ionosphere
- A region of the earth's atmosphere where ionization caused by
incoming solar radiation affects the transmission of radio
waves. It extends from a height of 43 miles (70 kilometers) to
250 miles (400 kilometers) above the surface
Ionization
- to convert wholly or partly into ions
Ion
- An atom or a
group of atoms that has acquired a net electric charge
Solar Wind
- A stream of high-speed, ionized particles ejected primarily
from the sun's corona
Plasma
- An electrically neutral, highly ionized gas composed of ions,
electrons, and neutral particles
Radiation
- Energy radiated or transmitted as rays, waves, in the form of
particles
Atmosphere
- The gaseous mass a celestial body, especially the one
surrounding the earth, and retained by the gravitational field
The Colors of Aurora Borealis
The
array of colours in the Aurora Borealis consist of red, blue,
violet, and green. Red is the dominant color.
Aurora Borealis
Forecast
The
appearance of the Aurora Borealis can be forecast by following
events on the sun in relation to the speed of the gaseous matter
being thrown off its surface. Various types of forecasts and
predictions regarding the appearance of the Aurora Borealis, the
Northern Lights, are published on several websites on the
Internet. The best months to view the phenomena are between
October and March. The NASA Space Weather Bureau
www.spaceweather.com
provides a forecast of viewing the Aurora Borealis, the Northern
Lights
Location to view Aurora Borealis
Locations in the Northern hemisphere including Scandinavia,
Canada, Northern America, Northern Europe and Siberia. Auroras
occur around the magnetic poles in both the Northern and Southern
hemispheres.
Fast Facts & Info about Aurora Borealis,
also known as the Northern Lights
Aurora Borealis -
luminous arches or streams of light
The Aurora Borealis
appears in the Northern hemisphere
'Aurora' was the
name given to the Roman goddess of dawn!
The Aurora Borealis
are caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by
electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines
Aurora Borealis can
effect Earth's communications
Interesting
information about the Aurora
Borealis - the Northern Lights
The Aurora
Borealis
The solar wind can cause interference with radio, television and
satellite communications
The size of Solar Flares are events classified as follows:
C-class events - Small solar flares are described as c-class
events and have no effect on communications
M-class events - Medium sized solar flares are described as
m-class events and can disrupt the Earth's radio communications
X-class events - Large, or extreme, sized solar flares are
described as x-class events and can disrupt the Earth's radio
communications
The Aurora Borealis
does not effect Airplanes as they fly at altitudes well below
the Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis
is not effected by changes in the temperature of the Earth
