The Physics of the Aurora Borealis

Synopsis

People often travel far and wide to remote places of the earth just to witness the Aurora Borealis. The vibrant, natural light display is known to occur at night in northern locations like Norway, Iceland and the Yukon, Canada. How the Aurora Borealis forms, why we see it and where and when it occurs are all explained with simple physics. Solar winds sent from the Sun create atomic and molecular collisions, creating the excitations and relaxations of these particles, which release photons responsible for this natural light display. Furthermore, planetary positions and magnetism are responsible for when and where it occurs. A blend of atomic physics, astronomy, and magnetism, the Aurora Borealis is a perfect example of how physics comes together to explain one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring sights on Earth.