Ever wonder why auroras look so colorful?
It's not magic — it's science!
When charged particles from the Sun and space collide
with gases high above Earth's clouds,
atoms and molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere release tiny specks of light.
During an aurora the color you see
depends on the type of gas that's hit and where it's located.
At higher altitudes oxygen glows red,
while lower down it turns green.
Nitrogen, also found in lower altitudes, emits a blue glow
and farther down turns pink.
This happens because the amount of these gases in the air changes with height.
At times, light emitted by
these gases can all blend together,
causing the auroras to look purple, orange, or even white.
Auroras really are a mix of science and beauty,
reminding us just how incredible the Sun-Earth connection really is!