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AurorasAuroras
Matt Tanaka & Kristel Curameng
Matt Tanaka & Kristel Curameng
What is an Aurora?What is an Aurora? A natural light display in
the sky caused by the collision of charged particles directed by the Earth's magnetic field
Its an atmospheric phenomenon typically observed in the night sky from locations at high latitudes.
Commonly known as the, “Northern Light”
A natural light display in the sky caused by the collision of charged particles directed by the Earth's magnetic field
Its an atmospheric phenomenon typically observed in the night sky from locations at high latitudes.
Commonly known as the, “Northern Light”
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LocationLocation
Surrounding the north magnetic pole is the aurora borealis.
Surrounding the south magnetic pole is the aurora australis.
Surrounding the north magnetic pole is the aurora borealis.
Surrounding the south magnetic pole is the aurora australis.
What Causes AurorasWhat Causes Auroras
Aurora’s occur when highly charged electrons from solar wind interact with elements in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Aurora’s occur when highly charged electrons from solar wind interact with elements in the Earth’s atmosphere.
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Causes continued...Causes continued...
Solar winds stream away at almost 1 million miles per hour.
When they reach the earth they follow the lines of magnetic force generated by the earths core and flow through the magnetosphere.
The magnetosphere is an area of highly charged electrical and magnetic fields.
Solar winds stream away at almost 1 million miles per hour.
When they reach the earth they follow the lines of magnetic force generated by the earths core and flow through the magnetosphere.
The magnetosphere is an area of highly charged electrical and magnetic fields. 5
66http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivBaLt6kj04&feature=player_embedded
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Causes continued....Causes continued....
As these charged electrons enter the earths upper atmosphere, they will encounter atoms of oxygen and nitrogen from altitudes from 20-200 miles above earths surface.
The color of the aurora depends on which atom is struck and the altitude it is struck at.
As these charged electrons enter the earths upper atmosphere, they will encounter atoms of oxygen and nitrogen from altitudes from 20-200 miles above earths surface.
The color of the aurora depends on which atom is struck and the altitude it is struck at. 7
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GreenGreen
Oxygen, up to 150 miles in altitude.
Oxygen, up to 150 miles in altitude.
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RedRed
Oxygen, above 150 miles in altitude.
Oxygen, above 150 miles in altitude.
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BlueBlue
Nitrogen, up to 60 miles in altitude.
Nitrogen, up to 60 miles in altitude.
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Purple/VioletPurple/Violet
Nitrogen, above 60 miles in altitude.
Nitrogen, above 60 miles in altitude.
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3 Dominant Forms of Display
3 Dominant Forms of Display
First Form homogenous band or arc of light
rises across the lower part of the sky from east to west, reaching within a few degrees of the horizon.
This band may be just 100 m thick.
First Form homogenous band or arc of light
rises across the lower part of the sky from east to west, reaching within a few degrees of the horizon.
This band may be just 100 m thick.
3 Dominant Forms of Display (continued)
3 Dominant Forms of Display (continued)
Second Form rays stream up vertically from the
arc or band like fringes on fine fabric, following the lines of the Earth’s magnetic field.
Second Form rays stream up vertically from the
arc or band like fringes on fine fabric, following the lines of the Earth’s magnetic field.
3 Dominant Forms of Display (continued)
3 Dominant Forms of Display (continued)
Third Form the corona, is seen when the
aurora is directly above you, and rays seem to fall around you from the zenith of the sky.
Third Form the corona, is seen when the
aurora is directly above you, and rays seem to fall around you from the zenith of the sky.
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Works CitedWorks Cited
"HowStuffWorks "How Does the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) Work?"" Howstuffworks "Science" Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/question471.htm>.
"Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis." Fairbanks Alaska Visitor Information Site. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://fairbanks-alaska.com/northern-lights-alaska.htm>.
"Auroras: What Makes Them Happen?" Exploratorium: the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/auroras/happen.html>.
"HowStuffWorks "How Does the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) Work?"" Howstuffworks "Science" Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/question471.htm>.
"Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis." Fairbanks Alaska Visitor Information Site. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://fairbanks-alaska.com/northern-lights-alaska.htm>.
"Auroras: What Makes Them Happen?" Exploratorium: the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/auroras/happen.html>.
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