The northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of nature's most mesmerizing phenomena.
These dazzling light displays occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, creating vivid colors and patterns in the sky. The northern lights primarily occur in regions near the magnetic poles, such as northern Canada, Scandinavia, Alaska, and parts of Russia.
The aurora’s colors—most commonly green, but also shades of pink, purple, and red—depend on the types of gases involved. Green typically results from interactions with oxygen molecules at lower altitudes, while red and purple hues are produced at higher altitudes and from nitrogen interactions.
Auroras happen when solar winds, which carry charged particles, hit Earth’s magnetosphere. The magnetosphere deflects most of these particles, but some are funneled down into the poles, where they interact with the atmosphere and produce the dancing lights.
The best time to witness the northern lights is during winter, when the nights are longest and darkest, in regions far from city lights. Solar activity, including solar flares or coronal mass ejections, can enhance the strength and visibility of the aurora, and many aurora watchers check forecasts to catch the best views.
While the Aurora Borealis refers to the northern hemisphere’s lights, the southern hemisphere has its own counterpart known as the Aurora Australis. Both are equally stunning, making these light shows a global spectacle of the night sky.
This photo was taken at a beach along 6A in Cummaquid, the phone brings it to life and you can see it so clearly. It looks like a haze to the naked eye in populated areas. I was able to see it more clearly at the beach, and see the movement. If you get a chance to see it, GO FOR IT!! Absolutely Spectacular.
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