{"id":432,"date":"2022-09-21T10:03:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T10:03:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-09-05T00:10:14","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T16:10:14","slug":"what-is-the-aurora-borealis-and-how-can-i-see-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/what-is-the-aurora-borealis-and-how-can-i-see-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Aurora Borealis and How Can I See It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may have seen various pictures or videos of the aurora borealis on social media. It is one of the most beautiful natural gifts from the universe \u2013 a truly natural phenomenon. It\u2019s probably the most breathtaking light display one can see amidst the night sky. That\u2019s why it\u2019s also fondly known as the \u201cnorthern lights.\u201d According to National Geographic<\/a>, another term for this celestial exhibition is the \u201cpolar lights,\u201d and this phenomenon is rarely visible beyond 70 degrees north and south latitudes.<\/p>\n

Seeing the aurora borealis is something that\u2019s on many people\u2019s \u2018bucket list\u2019 because it\u2019s a one-of-a-kind experience. Seeing this spectacular light display would make it a travel destination that could be remembered forever, and expand an individual\u2019s horizons. Planning a trip to countries where you can bask in this spectacular light display could be considered a journey of self-discovery<\/a> because many people who have seen the northern lights say that it is an enriching experience that fuels the soul.<\/p>\n

Similar to how many people report feeling a sudden inspiration to self-reflect while staring at a beautiful supermoon<\/a> in the sky, staring in awe at the aurora borealis can spark the same type of reflection or internal discoveries.<\/p>\n

Before you book that plane ticket and plan your mission to see the aurora borealis, it makes sense to find out how these ethereal curtains of lights grace the world. Understanding its origins will help make you appreciate this jaw-dropping natural phenomenon. What is the science behind this amazing atmospheric event that has many wanderlusting travelers go to great lengths to see it and capture photos of its beauty?<\/p>\n

What Causes the Aurora Borealis?<\/h2>\n

You can view the aurora if you are near the poles of either the northern or southern hemisphere. The term aurora borealis refers to the northern display, and it has a cousin in the south called aurora australis. Both poles show the same magnificent light display that come in beguiling colors that tantalize the eyes. The term aurora borealis means light of dawn<\/a>, first coined by the scientist Galileo in 1623. It comes from the words aurora, the goddess of dawn, and boreas, the northern wind personified. Now how does this phenomenon happen on earth?<\/p>\n

The purple, pink, blue, green, and red lights you see in the night sky are due to the activities happening on the sun\u2019s surface. Solar storms emit massive amounts of electrically charged particles or ions. These ions traverse millions of miles and collide with the earth. Most of the ions are deflected, but some particles are drawn to the earth\u2019s magnetic field, particularly towards the north and south poles where they become visible in the atmosphere. It\u2019s for this reason that aurora activities are concentrated in these areas, and they manifest in the form of alluring lights<\/p>\n

According to Tom Kerrs<\/a>, a Royal Observatory Astronomer, the ions slam into molecules and atoms found in the earth\u2019s atmosphere, consequently heating them. This process is known as \u201cexcitation,\u201d which is akin to heating gas and making it glow. The light displays you see are molecules and atoms in the atmosphere colliding with sun ions. The enigmatic and wavy patterns of light are created by the earth\u2019s magnetic field. At times, you may feel as if you can somehow reach out to touch these tantalizing lights. The lowest aurora is just 80 miles above the earth\u2019s surface, while the top display could extend a few thousand miles above the earth.<\/p>\n

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Where Can You See the Aurora Borealis?<\/h2>\n

The aurora borealis or northern lights typically occur in the geographic region in the vicinity of the auroral oval. The oval indicates where the aurora borealis is most visible. It is especially pervasive between 75 and 60 degrees latitude. Hence, these lights may be visible in countries near the Arctic Circle, such as:<\/p>\n