Jakarta –
Aurora borealis and Southern Dawn are types of phenomena Aurora. This is a natural phenomenon in the form of the appearance of lights in the sky in the form of beams, ribbons or curtains, usually red, green and purple.
According to the Bulletin reported by LAPAN, Aurora is also called Polar Lights because this phenomenon is visible and often appears in polar areas and high latitudes. Based on the location of the appearance, the Aurora phenomenon consists of two, namely Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis.
What is the Aurora Phenomenon?
Quoted from the Bulletin ‘Luminous Phenomena in Space’ by Pussainsa LAPAN BRIN, what is meant by Aurora is a natural phenomenon in the form of the appearance of light high in the Earth’s atmosphere which looks like it is dancing with attractive colors.
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According to the Meteorological Dictionary, Aurora is a sporadic emission of upper atmospheric radiation in high and middle latitudes caused by Nitrogen molecules (N2), Nitrogen ions (N2) and oxygen atoms (O2) which are often associated with magnetic storms. Auroras take the form of beams, ribbons, or curtains; usually red, green, and purple.
Difference between Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis
What is called Aurora borealis is the Aurora phenomenon that is visible in the northern polar circle. Aurora Borealis is a light produced by electric magnetic forces around the north celestial pole, and is visible as red, green or white stripes.
While the so-called Southern Dawn is the Aurora phenomenon that is visible in the southern polar circle. Aurora Australis is a light caused by electric magnetic forces in the ionosphere layer around the South celestial pole, and is visible as red, green or white stripes.
Reported by the ‘Space Weather’ Bulletin by Pussainsa LAPAN BRIN, initially the Aurora phenomenon was thought to only appear in the northern hemisphere of the Earth, but James Cook observed the same phenomenon in the southern hemisphere of the Earth and called it Aurora Australis.
The Process of the Aurora Phenomenon
Auroras occur when charged particles originating from the Sun are released through coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or coronal holes. Particles called ‘solar wind’ reach Earth and interact and disrupt it Earth’s magnetic field.
These charged particles are increasingly accelerated by the solar wind and continue to move convergently towards the poles, forming oval rings at the Earth’s two poles. These charged particles move in spirals along magnetic field lines.
Due to the movement of charged particles following magnetic field lines, these charged particles enter the atmosphere and interact with gases in the atmosphere, especially around the Earth’s magnetic poles.
When charged particles interact with a gas, energy transfer occurs. The gas receives energy and is excited thereby releasing energy and photons of a certain wavelength which appear as colorful glows in the sky.
Watch Video: There’s a Strong Storm Behind This Week’s Spectacular Aurora Visuals
(wia/imk)