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Aurorae (Northern Lights)

Beautiful ribbons of light caused by the interaction of high-energy particles in the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field. These are common in both extreme northern (aurora borealis or northern lights) and southern latitudes (aurora australis/southern lights), near Earth’s magnetic poles.

Resources

Phenomena, Myths and Fallacies June 10, 2010

Radio Programs

Moon, Regulus, and Jupiter Powering up curtains of light February 22, 2016

Moon and Venus Venus’s nightside goes green January 20, 2015

Moon and Jupiter Powering up a distant aurora November 7, 2011

Featured Images

Auroras on Jupiterk

Polar Rings February 22, 2016
A brilliant aurora from the International Space Station

Fiery Sky January 21, 2015

Through the Glow September 16, 2014

Saturnian Heat Rays August 21, 2013
The glow of the aurora from the International Space Station

Heavenly Lightshow November 6, 2011
A solar eruption on June 7, 2011

Big Splash June 7, 2011
False-color infrared view of Saturn and its aurora

Colorful Aurora September 28, 2010

High Lights January 17, 2010