What would happen to the northern lights if there was no magnetic field?

If the magnetic field wasn’t present those highly charged particles coming from the sun, the ones that set into motion the processes that produce the Northern and Southern Lights, would instead gradually strip the atmosphere of the molecules needed for life.

How does Earth’s magnetic field affect aurora borealis?

Earth’s magnetic field steers the charged particles towards the poles. The shape of Earth’s magnetic field creates two auroral ovals above the North and South Magnetic Poles. That is why auroras occur almost every night in the northern sky, from August to May.

What makes the aurora borealis visible?

Bottom line: When charged particles from the sun strike atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, they cause electrons in the atoms to move to a higher-energy state. When the electrons drop back to a lower energy state, they release a photon: light. This process creates the beautiful aurora, or northern lights.

Is the aurora borealis magnetic?

The lights are often green and red, but also purple, blue and yellow. Some of the forms include luminous curtains, arcs, bands, and patches. Auroras are shaped by Earth’s magnetic field, and these forms are consistent with this formation.

Can an Aurora happen anywhere?

So the best places to see auroras are near the magnetic poles. These include areas of northern Greenland, the Scandinavian coast, Siberia (brrr!), and Alaska in the north, and Antarctica in the south.

Why can’t we see aurora borealis in the Philippines?

because the Philippines is located in the equator, which the earth’s magnetic field does not emit from, but rather at the poles, which in turn interact with solar winds, which makes the phenomenon known as Auroras.

Can aurora borealis be seen from space?

And for those who have the opportunity, even less ever get the chance to see the northern lights when looking down – as in from space. Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle is amongst the best places in the world to experience the magic of the northern lights. Read more and find your northern lights destination.