The aurora borealis is like a light show on the sky. When tiny particles from the sun hit Earth's atmosphere, they make colors appear! Green comes from oxygen high up in the air, and red or purple come from nitrogen lower down. It’s kind of like when you mix paint, each color has its own special place in this sky dance.
Examples
- When a green ribbon appears in the sky, it’s like oxygen gas is smiling at you from high up in the air.
- If the sky looks red and dancing, that's deeper oxygen giving off its special glow.
Ask a question
See also
- What Causes Auroras, and Why Do They Light Up the Sky?
- What are magnetospheric disturbances?
- What are magnetic storms?
- What are auroral substorms?
- What Causes the Color of Auroras in the Sky?