AURORA

Anaurora(plural: aurorae or auroras; from

theLatinwordaurora,
"sunrise"
or
the
Roman goddess of dawn) is a natural light
display in the sky particularly in the high
latitude
(ArcticandAntarctic)
regions,
caused by the collision of energetic charged
particles with atoms in the high altitude
atmosphere (thermosphere). The charged
particles originate in themagnetosphereand
solar windand, on Earth, are directed by the
Earth's magnetic fieldinto the atmosphere.

Most aurorae occur in a band known as

theauroral zone, which is typically 3 to 6 in
latitudinal extent and at all local times or
longitudes. The auroral zone is typically 10 to
20 from the magnetic pole defined by the axis
of the Earth's magnetic dipole. During a
geomagnetic storm, the auroral zone expands to
lower latitudes. Aurorae are classified as diffuse
or discrete. The diffuse aurora is a featureless
glow in the sky that may not be visible to the
naked eye, even on a dark night. It defines the
extent of the auroral zone. The discrete aurorae
are sharply defined features within the diffuse
aurora that vary in brightness from just barely
visible to the naked eye, to bright enough to read
a newspaper by at night.

Discrete aurorae are usually seen in only

thenight sky, because they are not as
bright as the sunlit sky. Aurorae
occasionally occur poleward of the
auroral zone as diffuse patchesor arcs
(polar cap arcs), which are generally
invisible to the naked eye.

In northernlatitudes, the effect is known as

theaurora borealis(or thenorthern lights),
named after theRomangoddessof dawn,
Aurora, and theGreekname for the north
wind,Boreas,
byPierre Gassendiin
1621.Auroras seen near the magnetic pole
may be high overhead, but from farther away,
they illuminate the northern horizon as a
greenish glow or sometimes a faint red, as if
the Sun were rising from an unusual direction.
Discrete aurorae often displaymagnetic field
lines or curtain-like structures, and can
change within seconds or glow unchanging
for hours, most often in fluorescent green.

The aurora borealis most often occurs

near theequinoctes. The northern lights
have had a number of names throughout
history. TheCreecall this phenomenon the
"Dance of the Spirits". InMedieval Europe,
the auroras were commonly believed to be
a sign from God.

Its southern counterpart, theaurora

australis(or thesouthern lights), has
features that are almost identical to the
aurora
borealis
and
changes
simultaneously with changes in the
northern auroral zoneIt is visible from
high southern latitudes inAntarctica,
South America,New Zealand,
and
Australia. Aurorae occuron other planets.
Similar to the Earth's aurora, they are
visible close to the planet's magnetic
poles. Modern style guides recommend
that the names of meteorological
phenomena, such asaurora borealis, be
uncapitalized.

The occurrence of the solar wind. Starting

with its sunspot is formed which creates a
magnetic field. Because the power was
no longer able to withstand the pressure
of the flow, then it will be 'broken'. Her
broken this sunspot will spew energy
content which is distributed as a proton
or electron currents