Auroras: A Natural Light Show in the Sky
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
In the Northern Hemisphere, the aurora is called the aurora borealis, or northern lights. It appears as bright swirling curtains of lights in the night sky, ranging in color from green to pink.
Formation
The aurora borealis is caused by giant flares from the sun, or solar storms. These storms send charged particles towards the Earth, which interact with the gases in our atmosphere. The collision of these particles creates the colorful light display.
Southern Lights (Aurora Australis)
In the Southern Hemisphere, the aurora is called the aurora australis, or southern lights. It is similar to the aurora borealis, but appears in the southern sky.
Visibility
Auroras are most visible near the poles of both the northern and southern hemispheres. The further north or south you travel, the more likely you are to see an aurora.
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