• Question: I have 2 questions, How is aurora created and what country can you see it

    Asked by Science Genie to Deborah, Euan, Maheen, Rob, Stu on 20 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Euan Allen

      Euan Allen answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      Charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere of the earth and cause other charged particles to move around. As these new charged particles move, they emit light, which is the aurora that we see.

      The sun particles are directed to the north and south pole by the earths magnetic field. This means that they only interact with the atmosphere at this point. Therefore the further north (or south) you are the more likely you are to see the effect. People as far south as Scotland have been lucky enough to see the phenomenon though, so you don’t need to go super far north (or south)!

    • Photo: Deborah Prunty

      Deborah Prunty answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      The aurora happens when charged particals from the sun collide with atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere. When the collisions happen it gives out little flashes of light.

      They can be seen best within 2500km of the North Pole.

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