Northern lights (aurora borealis) — What they are and how to ...The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a natural light display in the Earth’s northern hemisphere caused by solar particles colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere. We saw that here in central KS last night. First time in my life. Spectacular.
Here is a fact that most people don’t know about the Northern Lights. The colours you see indicates the elements that are hitting earth’s atmosphere.
The green color in the northern lights (aurora borealis) is primarily produced by **oxygen** atoms.
### How It Works
- When charged particles from the Sun (solar wind) collide with Earth’s upper atmosphere (about 100–300 km altitude), they excite oxygen atoms.
- These excited oxygen atoms then release energy as light when returning to their ground state.
- **Green light** (wavelength ~557.7 nm) is the most common emission from oxygen at these altitudes.
### Other Colors for Context
- **Red**: Higher-altitude oxygen (>300 km).
- **Blue/purple**: Nitrogen molecules.
- **Pink/red edges**: Nitrogen at lower altitudes.
The iconic emerald green dominates because oxygen is abundant and the 557.7 nm emission is strong under typical auroral conditions.
A roaring, boring Alice, you say? I know her.