New Auroras on the Horizon
The sun recently sent out a massive solar flare, the most powerful one observed during this cycle. This eruption, classified as an X9.05 solar flare, occurred this morning, capturing the…
Auroras are natural light displays that occur in the polar regions of Earth, known as the aurora borealis (northern lights) in the northern hemisphere and aurora australis (southern lights) in the southern hemisphere. These captivating phenomena are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the solar wind with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. When these particles collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere, they excite the atoms, leading to the emission of light in various colors, primarily green, red, yellow, blue, and violet. The patterns of auroras can range from diffuse glowing arcs to dramatic, swirling curtains or rays. Auroras are more commonly observed in areas located near the magnetic poles, such as Scandinavia, Canada, Alaska, and Antarctica. They have been of significance in various cultures, often associated with mythology and folklore due to their ethereal beauty and the mystique of their occurrence.
The sun recently sent out a massive solar flare, the most powerful one observed during this cycle. This eruption, classified as an X9.05 solar flare, occurred this morning, capturing the…