Northern Lights: What They Are and How to See Them

Aurorae or Auroras

Also commonly known as the northern lights (aurora borealis) or southern lights, if you're ever near the North or South Pole, you may be in for a very special treat. Frequently, there are beautiful light shows in the sky. An aurora is a natural light display that shimmers in the sky, primarily shades of green and pink. Auroras are only visible at night and usually only when the skies are clear and dark.

What Causes the Northern Lights?

Auroras are caused by the collision of charged particles from the sun with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere. These particles are released from the sun in a process called solar wind. When the solar wind reaches Earth's atmosphere, the particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, transferring energy to them and causing them to glow.

Where Can You See the Northern Lights?

The best places to see the northern lights are at high latitudes, near the Earth's magnetic poles. In the Northern Hemisphere, the northern lights are visible in Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, Russia, and Iceland. In the Southern Hemisphere, the northern lights are visible in Antarctica, Chile, and Argentina.