wiki Word: Aurora

Definition: Natural Colored light displays, usually in the polar zone

Auroras are observed in the night sky in polar zones. Auroras typically occur in the ionosphere, the uppermost part of the atmosphere. In northern latitudes, it is known as the aurora borealis (or the northern lights), named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora. It appears as a greenish glow or sometimes a faint red. The aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October and from March to April. 

   In Latin, aurora means "the dawn." 

   Auroras are produced by the collision of charged particles from Earth's magnetosphere. Most particles are electrons and ions, and come from from the Sun. They arrive at the vicinity of Earth in low-energy solar wind.When the trapped magnetic field of Earth, the solar wind is directed southwards. The electrons and ions from the sun hit Earth's air molecules. The molecules get "excited" and as they calm down they produce green or red light.

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 Aurora Borealis above Bear Lake..........Aurora Borealis over Canada.................Fairbanks, Alaska..............

<-- This image was captured by the IMAGE spacecraft

WATCH video clips of the Aurora Borealis:

Red Aurora

Green Aurora

SO WHAT??? You may need to know this term because it applies to both atoms and subatomic particles and space. To study the aurora, you must know about atoms, magnetic fields, earth's atmosphere, and subatomic particles. It can be very interesting to study this natural wonder.

Information and pictures from:

    "Aurora (astronomy)." Wikipedia. 2008. 28 Apr 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_(astronomy)

    "Aurora Page." Michigan Tech. 29 Mar 2008. 28 Apr 2008 http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/

     "Aurora Video." Views of the Solar System . 29 Apr 2008 <http://www.solarviews.com/raw/earth/aurora.mov>.

Find more info at:

   Pasachoff, Jay M. Astronomy Prentice Hall Science Explorer. Boston, Massachusetts: Prentice Hall, 2005

     ^Small Red Textbook page 82^

   Bonnstetter, Ron Ph. D et al. Science Saurus A Student Handbook.Wimington, MA. 2006

     ^ScenceSaurus page 215^

   Affatigato, Mario Ph. D et al. Holt Science and Techlonogy Level Green. Austin, Texas. Holst, Rinehart, and Winston. 2006.

     ^Green Textbook page 81^

   Affiatigato, Mario Ph. D et al. Holt Science and Techlonogy Level Blue. Austin, Texas. Holst, Rinehart, and Winston. 2006.

    ^Blue Textbook page 352^

www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/auroras/ 

http://odin.gi.alaska.edu/FAQ/

http://www.space.com/auroras/