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Introduction
Introduction
Background
The Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights, is a natural light display of charged particles (solar wind) from the sun with Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field, while being held together with Gravity as it keeps the atmosphere, and with it the aurora borealis in check. Aurora Intensity is determined by how dense the atmosphere is, which leads to more violent and intense auroras, like in Jupiter as an example, with the most prominent auroras among any planet in our star system.
Problem
Despite the amazing light displays seen in the sky, Aurora Borealis, people remain unaware of the actual causes and science behind it. Without realizing it, humans are slowly losing their curiosity, which can lead to less scientific discoveries in the future.
Purpose
The objective of this website is to show how gravity affects the formation of auroras and educate others about gravity and aurora formation. We will look at how stronger gravity and a denser atmosphere causes an aurora to form faster and look more intense, and how weaker gravity and a thinner atmosphere create slower and weaker auroras. By conducting this experiment and comparing different planets’ gravity and atmosphere, we aim to gain further knowledge on how gravity affects the way auroras look in the sky while also raising awareness on space science by creating various products.
Theoretical Background
Theoretical Background
Which molecules they collide with and at what height dictates the color. The most prominent color seen in photos recently has been green. That’s a collision with oxygen molecules anywhere from 62 to 120 miles above the surface.
1. Introduction to Aurora Borealis
1. Introduction to Aurora Borealis
Aurora borealis is caused by energetic charged particles from the Sun (solar wind) interacting with Earth's magnetic field and upper atmosphere. These particles are funneled towards the magnetic poles and collide with atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen, exciting them and causing them to release energy as photons (light), which we see as colorful auroral displays.
The Auroral band stretches across Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland and we feature a huge range of carefully designed holidays in these destinations. On occasion, if solar activity levels are very high, the Aurora can be seen further south, which is why in some rare situations, the lights can be visible in the UK.
2. Types of Aurorae's
2. Types of Aurorae's
There are two primary categories of aurora types, determined by their location in the sky: the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) in the Northern Hemisphere and the aurora australis (Southern Lights) in the Southern Hemisphere. Within these categories, auroras are also classified by their physical forms, or morphology, into discrete auroras (like arcs and curtains) and diffuse auroras (like patchy, pulsating glows), which result from different physical processes.
Aurora Borealis Diagram and Structures
3. Structure of Aurora Borealis
3. Structure of Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis's structure varies, featuring luminous forms like arcs, bands, and curtains that are dictated by Earth's magnetic field and solar particle interactions with atmospheric gases. Arcs are stable, sweeping curves, while bands are more active, long, and potentially "dancing" structures. Curtains, a common form of bands, are irregular, vertical structures that change and move over time. Within these forms, narrow rays of light may extend vertically.
Arcs
Stable, sweeping arches of light that can be either a single structure or multiple intersecting arcs, forming in both quiet and more active auroral conditions.
Bands
More active than arcs, bands are longer, wider, and less structured than arcs.
Curtains
A common form of bands, curtains are composed of irregular, vertical rays of light that move and "dance" across the sky, especially during active displays.
4. Observational Evidence and Milestones
4. Observational Evidence and Milestones
The observation of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, has a rich history spanning millennia, progressing from ancient mythological accounts to modern satellite monitoring and scientific understanding.
5. Aurora borealis and the Universe
5. Aurora borealis and the Universe
The aurora borealis is a visible manifestation of the sun's influence on Earth, making it a powerful tool for studying our solar system and the broader universe. Observing auroras reveals fundamental processes of plasma physics, magnetic fields, and particle interactions that occur throughout the cosmos.
Auroras occur within one of Earth's upper atmosphere layers, the thermosphere. Solar particles trapped here interact with different types of gas molecules, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, resulting in unique, colored displays of light. Oxygen gives off green and red light, while nitrogen glows blue and reddish-purple.
6. Properties of Aurora Borealis
6. Properties of Aurora Borealis
Auroras, also called the "polar lights," are rarely visible outside 70 degrees north and south latitudes. An aurora is a natural light display that shimmers in the sky. Blue, red, yellow, green, and orange lights shift gently and change shape like softly blowing curtains.
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