Skip to content

Nature

That Solar Wind and the Aurora Borealis

by Dave Armstrong 30 Jan 2012
That Solar Wind and the Aurora Borealis

Giant solar flare shoots ions out into space for millions of km (illustration) via Shutterstock

You don't have to be Alaskan or an Icelander but it helps. The aurora (goddess of the dawn) borealis (*you should know who he is?*) is the phenomenon on the tip of everyone's tongue, but in September, 1859, London was lit up at one o'clock in the morning, along with Sydney, Tokyo and Boston, by one of the most aggressive spurts of solar energy ever heard of. The link with the Sun is the IMF. Not the money one. This is the Interplanetary Magnetic Force or solar wind. No, not in Star Wars. It is formed by solar flares of ions from the Sun, which by virtue of their own magnetic field, interfere with every planets own field by causing geomagnetic storms, or at least a disturbance, creating coloured light effects around the planets' poles.

In the case of the earth, oxygen and nitrogen at varying distances from the surface cause the light to be blue, violet, green or red. Their ions light up as electrons bombard them in the same way as in a cathode ray tube (TV to you.)

Here the green aurora borealis is caused by oxygen ions low in the atmosphere. If they were colliding with the solar wind higher, red colours would be created - Holy Island Causeway Northumberland, UK

Here the green aurora borealis seen at Holy Island Causeway Northumberland, UK (23/1/2012). Caused by oxygen ions low in the atmosphere. If they were colliding with the solar wind higher, red colours would be created; Credit: Reed Ingram Weir

The sunspot cycle is a rough guide to solar energy output. Every eleven years, the auroras become more prevalent, but the three years following sunspot peaks also seem to have peaks of auroral activity. Our present cycle should peak next year, but following major solar explosions the aurora has recently been giving us low latitude displays in anticipation of more to come. Digital cameras tend to distort the colours, but this often exaggerates the colours, rather than repressing the effect.

In Scotland, Norway, Alaska and around Lake Superior, photographs last week showed us how to enjoy the sky as they did in Victorian times. Yorkshire (UK) was the furthest south that this particular phenomenon reached, but New York( NY) can still hope that maybe next year the magnetosphere will respond for them.

Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights) on Kvaloya, Norway

Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights) on Kvaloya, NO (23/1/2012); Credit: Lars Tiede

The Earth Times will inform you of any new solar flare activity. At up to two million miles per hour, it takes a couple of days to cross the solar system and cause an aurora here, so watch out for this space, this spring. (your own pics are also welcome - please send us an email.)

[*Borealis, by the way, refers to the god of the cold north wind in Greek mythology (Boreas)*]


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping