About the Aurora - Extreme Pursuit

An aurora is a stunning natural light show seen in the sky, most commonly observed in the high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic poles. Known as the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in the Northern Hemisphere and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) in the Southern Hemisphere, these displays appear as dynamic curtains, rays, or spirals of colourful light.

Aurora Formation

The formation of an aurora begins with the Sun, which constantly emits a stream of charged particles called the solar wind. When this solar wind, sometimes intensified by solar storms like coronal mass ejections, reaches Earth, our planet’s magnetic field deflects most of it. However, some particles become trapped and are channeled along the magnetic field lines towards the poles. As these energetic particles (mainly electrons and protons) enter the upper atmosphere, they collide with gas atoms and molecules, primarily oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions excite the atmospheric gases, causing them to glow and emit light. The specific colours depend on the type of gas and the altitude of the collision: oxygen typically produces green and red lights, while nitrogen contributes blue and purple hues.

How to witness Aurora

To witness an aurora, several conditions need to align. Firstly, you need darkness, so viewing is best on clear nights, away from city light pollution and ideally when the moon is not full. The prime viewing locations are within the “auroral zones” in high latitudes, such as Alaska, northern Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia, Finland, Antarctica, and southern New Zealand. Checking space weather forecasts can significantly increase your chances, as higher activity generally means brighter and more widespread auroras. Patience is also key, as auroral displays can be unpredictable.