The Northern Lights

The first recorded sighting of the Aurora Borealis in the North American colonies came on December 11,1719, in New England. The light show wouldn't have been totally shocking, however. The lights were actually noted about a century earlier by a French scientist.

These swirling lights are caused by billions tiny charged electrons from space striking oxygen and nitrogen atoms and causing them to flare. They accelerate due to energy from the sun. The surface of the earth is protected by its magnetic field, but the Northern Lights can be seen from here.

These lights can show a differing array of colors. At higher altitudes, the oxygen atoms are more spread out, emitting a longer wavelength and giving off a red light, which was often viewed as a bad omen in ancient history. At lower altitudes, the wavelength of color is shorter, releasing a blue light. Intense solar activity can cause the rings around  the earth's poles to swell, and the lights look green, often with a red outline at the top. Green is the most common color for the lights we see.

Regardless of reason for the lights or the  varying colors, however, they are a wonder to hold. A picture just doesn't do them justice. If you ever get a chance, stand and watch this amazing light show of nature.

_____________________________