What Causes the ‘Northern Lights’ and How Are They Different from Aurora Australis?

The Northern Lights are like magic fireworks in the sky. When tiny space rocks called solar wind hit Earth's magnetic blanket, they light up the sky with dancing colors. In the South, a similar show happens too, it’s called the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis, but it’s usually quieter because there are fewer people to see it.

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A little girl sees shimmering colors in the sky and thinks it's a magical show.
At night, people on a mountain top look up and see the sky glowing like a rainbow.
When the sun is very active, the Northern Lights can be seen as far south as Alaska.

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Categories: Space · Aurora,Space Weather,Northern Lights,Earth's Atmosphere,Solar Wind