AMAZING AURORAS

AMAZING AURORAS 

Image src:  https://global.hurtigruten.com/

What are Auroras?  

Have you ever wondered what causes these beautiful lights dance across the night sky? 

If you are ever near the north or south pole you may be in for  a special treat! Time and again there are beautiful light shows in the sky known as Auroras. Near the north pole it is called Aurora Borealis or northern lights while near the south pole it is called Aurora Australis or southern lights.  

How are Auroras formed?

Even tough auroras are best seen at night they are caused by the sun. Along with heat and light the sun sends plenty of other energy and small particles our way. The protective magnetic field around the Earth shields us from these particles. However the sun doesn't send the same amount of energy all the time. There is a constant streaming of solar wind. Sometimes solar storms also occur. These winds blast into the Earth's magnetosphere and change its shape. That darn sun tanning our beautiful magnetosphere! It is good tough. Particles trapped in the magnetosphere interact with the gases in our atmosphere, giving out spectacular displays of light called auroras. Oxygen gives off green and red light while nitrogen glows blue and purple.

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 Earth's magnetosphere shielding us from the solar winds.  

How were the Auroras named?

In 1690 Galileo named the Aurora Borealis after the Roman God of morning- Aurora as it was his belief that the lights were caused by sunlight reflecting off the Earth's atmosphere. Although his belief was wrong the scientific society uses Galileo's suggested name for the auroras. 

Are auroras seen on other planets as well?

The answer is -Yes. If a planet has an atmosphere and a magnetic field, they probably have Auroras. There have been sightings of auroras on Jupiter and Saturn.

 Image courtesy: NASA/ESA/STScl/A.

                                                         Image courtesy: NASA Hubble/ ESA. 

Auroras on Jupiter and Saturn

AURORAS AND HISTORY 

Since pre-historic times humans have been captivated by the aurora lights. A 32,000 year old cave painting created by the Cro-Magnon is termed as the oldest depiction of the auroras. Another painting depicting auroras dates back to 1570 A.D. Ancient Assyrian stone tablets represent the oldest know reports of the auroras, dating to more than 2,500 years ago. The descriptions written in cunieform were found on three stone tablets dating from 665 B.C. to 679 B.C. 

                                  Cro-Magnon painting. Image src: NASAeClips/launchpad/

Image src: NASAeClips/launchpad/

Some pictures of the dazzling auroras.