When the solar wind gets past the magnetic field and travels towards the Earth, it runs into the atmosphere. As the protons and electrons from the solar wind hit the particles in the Earth's atmosphere, they release energy and this is what causes the northern lights.12 Feb 2019
What are the northern lights kids definition?
In a simple definition, northern lights are some shades of lights seen in the north pole of the earth. Northern light is also familiar as a name aurora borealis. For explaining this to your kids, you should make them familiar with some common words such as atmosphere, earth's core, atoms, molecules, poles, gases etc.10 Oct 2021
Do northern lights happen every night?
There is no official season since the Northern Lights are almost always present, day and night. Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earth's atmosphere and releasing photons, it's a process that happens constantly.4 Sept 2019
Why do the northern lights only happen in the North?
In the north, it is called Aurora Borealis and in the south, it is called Aurora Australias. The reason that the Aurora can only be seen at the poles has to do with how the Earth's magnetic field acts. The Earth has a metal core and acts much like a bar magnet with two poles and a magnetic field.
Why do we see northern lights?
The lights we see in the night sky are in actual fact caused by activity on the surface of the Sun. Solar storms on our star's surface give out huge clouds of electrically charged particles. The aurora's characteristic wavy patterns and 'curtains' of light are caused by the lines of force in the Earth's magnetic field.
Are Northern Lights hot?
The northern lights may look like fire, but they wouldn't feel like one if you had the chance to touch them. Yes, Northern Lights are basically hot flying particles from the Sun hitting the Earth's magnetic field with the speed of sound, but in the altitude they occur the air is really cold.
Can the Northern Lights hurt you?
No. The earth is protected by the magnetosphere but without it yes they could. particles enter it and electrons are flung out into the earth's atmosphere. 11 Sept 2021
Can you stand in the Northern Lights?
The aurora is emitted between 90 and 150 km in altitude (i.e. mostly above the 'official' boundary of space, 100 km), so ungloving your hand inside an aurora would likely be fatal (unless a fellow astronaut immediately reattaches your glove and repressurizes your suit).
Can you fly through the Northern Lights?
If you've ever been awestruck by the sight of the northern lights dancing overhead, imagine what it would be like to fly right through them. "We can actually fly into the auroras," said NASA astronaut Don Pettit, a flight engineer for the orbiting lab's current Expedition 30.5 Mar 2012
How often do Northern Lights show up?
"Active periods are typically about 30 minutes long and occur every two hours, if the activity is high. The aurora is a sporadic phenomenon, occurring randomly for short periods or perhaps not at all."13 Dec 2021
What month is best to see the Northern Lights?
Thanks to longer hours of darkness and clear night skies, December through March is usually the best time to observe this elusive natural phenomenon (though you can sometimes see the northern lights starting as early as August).30 Dec 2019