Magnetic Field Magic: The Science Behind Auroras and Tips for Aurora Hunters

Have you ever wondered if lights can dance? The auroras are often referred to as dancing lights, putting on a show in the night sky. The science behind these ethereal beauties is undoubtedly fascinating. Aurora hunting should be on your bucket list! That is, if it isn’t already. But as breathtaking as they are, auroras are also unpredictable. Continue reading to learn more about auroras and how to find them!

What causes the phenomenon?

Auroras, or more commonly known as northern or southern lights, are displays of colorful ribbons of light in the night sky in the northern or southern hemisphere. This spectacular phenomenon is caused by the interactions between magnetic fields of the Earth and the Sun. During an approaching solar storm, energy and small particles may travel down the magnetic field lines at the north and south poles into the Earth’s atmosphere where these particles interact with gasses in the atmosphere. This interaction causes the breath-taking display of auroras where oxygen gives off green and red light. (Nasa, n.d.)

Diagram of the path of travel of energy from the Sun to the Earth that creates aurora lights, from “What is an aurora? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids. (n.d.-b). https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/aurora/en/” 

In detail, the solar storms on the sun’s surface give out clouds of electrically charged particles that can travel millions of kilometers. At times, these clouds eventually collide with the Earth. Although some of these particles get deflected, some are captured by the Earth’s magnetic field. It then accelerates to the north and south poles and into the atmosphere. Particles that have entered the atmosphere collide into atoms and molecules, transferring energy and heating them up. This process is called ‘excitation’ where gas is heated up until it glows, resulting in what we observe as aurora lights (Kerss, n.d.). These displays of light range from being around 128 kilometres above the Earth’s surface to thousands of kilometres above Earth. 

Where can we spot auroras?

Auroras in the northern hemisphere (northern lights) are scientifically known as aurora borealis, and auroras in the southern hemisphere (southern lights) are called aurora australis. These wonders can be spotted in countries and areas like Iceland, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada, Alaska, Southern Greenland, and Northern Sweden–between 60˚ to 75˚ in latitude. These locations are particularly great for viewing the northern or southern lights because aurora activity is concentrated at the Earth’s magnetic poles. 

Map showing the countries most commonly known to be good spots for Northern light spotting from Cold & Goji . (n.d.). Where to see the Northern Lights | 50 Degrees North. 50 Degrees North. https://fiftydegreesnorth.com/eu/where-to-see-the-northern-lights 

To be technical for aurora hunters: they are best spotted in open spaces that offer panoramic sky views, away from any artificial lighting including street lamps. Aurora borealis and aurora australis are known to occur simultaneously but are not visible at the same time due to their inverse seasons (Discover The World, 2024). The two auroras occur at the same time as they are caused by the same energy and magnetic field interaction but cannot both be seen simultaneously due to the different weather and lighting conditions provided by the inverse seasons experienced at the north and south poles. 

Although they are visible at lower altitudes, it is best to view auroras at the auroral oval (a ring of lights around the poles) seen in the ovation map. The oval can be seen in forecast modules as indicated using space weather stations, but the appearance of these auroral ovals experience shifts as aurora activities are not always constant. 

A diagram of the auroral oval from “Discover the World. (2024b, November 28). Northern Lights | When and where to see the Aurora Borealis. https://www.discover-the-world.com/northern-lights/#:~:text=It%20encompasses%20latitudes%20between%2060,can%20appear%20at%20lower%20latitudes.” 

Tips for spotting an aurora

• Time of the year: November to mid-April

Several factors determine whether the northern lights are visible to us. They tend to appear when skies are darkest: around November through mid-April. They are also highly visible during seasons with stable weather conditions and mild temperatures: spring and autumn. During these periods, the equinoxes also occur when there is greater aurora activity due to the axial tilt which puts the earth into a position where the angle of our magnetic field relative to the sun’s magnetic field of solar wind reaches optimal configuration allowing for magnetic cracks that let in especially greater numbers of energetic particles. 

• Time of the day: midnight

Auroras appear in the skies a few hours after sunset and are detectable from 9pm to 2am, but are most visible during the darkest time of the day–midnight!. However, there are exceptions to this during the shortest daytimes of the year in higher latitudes such as Svalbard where they experience 24-hours of no sunlights throughout mid-November to end of January. In this case, the auroras can be viewed at any time of the day.

Are you fascinated by how this natural beauty was formed? By following the tips above, you can spot these dancing lights yourself on your next holiday!

References:

Canadian Space Agency. (2024, January 17). What are the northern lights? https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/northern-lights/what-are-northern-lights.asp#:~:text=The%20northern%20lights%2C%20or%20aurora,southern%20lights%2C%20or%20aurora%20australis.  

Discover the World. (2024, November 28). Northern Lights | When and where to see the Aurora Borealis. https://www.discover-the-world.com/northern-lights/#:~:text=It%20encompasses%20latitudes%20between%2060,can%20appear%20at%20lower%20latitudes.

Cold & Goji . (n.d.). Where to see the Northern Lights | 50 Degrees North. 50 Degrees North. https://fiftydegreesnorth.com/eu/where-to-see-the-northern-lights  

Trott, T. (2024, May 21). What causes the northern lights - Aurora borealis. Perfect Astronomy. https://perfectastronomy.com/solar-physics/northern-lights/ 

What are the northern lights? The aurora borealis explained | Natural History Museum. (2024, December 20). https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-are-the-northern-lights-aurora-borealis-causes-explained.html#:~:text=The%20northern%20lights%20are%20caused%20by%20the%20interaction%20between%20the,how%20this%20creates%20an%20aurora. 

What causes the Northern Lights? (n.d.). Royal Museums Greenwich. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/what-causes-northern-lights 

What is an aurora? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids. (n.d.). https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/aurora/en/#:~:text=When%20a%20solar%20storm%20comes,off%20green%20and%20red%20light.