| INTRO:
PLASMA |
MAGNETISM |
SOLAR WIND |
CORONAL MASS
EJECTIONS (CMEs) |
SOLAR
FLARES |
DYSTOPIA |
MAGNETOSPHERE |
INTERACTION |
ATMOSPHERE |
COLORS |
DETECTION |
BIBLIOGRAPHY |
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| Atomic Oxygen (O) is the
source of both the uncommon RED and very common GREEN of
the aurora. MetEd/Comet http://www.meted.ucar.edu/hao/aurora/aurora.1.htm (free membership; Physics of the Aurora - Earth Systems; Aurora Section 2.2 |
The aurora is NOT a
continuous spectrum. Green is the dominant and most
common color. MetEd/Comet http://www.meted.ucar.edu/hao/aurora/aurora.1.htm (free membership; Physics of the Aurora - Earth Systems; Aurora Section 2.1 |
Molecular Nitrogen (N2) is
the source of the MAGENTA colors in the aurora. Note
that blues are hard for the human eye to distinguish at
night. MetEd/Comet http://www.meted.ucar.edu/hao/aurora/aurora.1.htm (free membership; Physics of the Aurora - Earth Systems; Aurora Section 2.2 |
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| The above four gases are
the most common ones in our atmosphere, but we only
usually see the
spectra of N2 and O. Atomic nitrogen (N) produces a
very faint green that is masked by atomic oxygen and is
difficult to ever see. O2 is the least common
of the four gases. MetEd/Comet http://www.meted.ucar.edu/hao/aurora/aurora.1.htm (free membership; Physics of the Aurora - Earth Systems; Review Charts & Interactives- Thermposphere Composition Diagram) |
The above two gases are
what we normally see in the aurora: the magenta of
N2 and the green or rare red of O. Notice that N2 is
more common than O at low altitudes below 150 km (90
miles). MetEd/Comet http://www.meted.ucar.edu/hao/aurora/aurora.1.htm (free membership; Physics of the Aurora - Earth Systems; Review Charts & Interactives- Thermposphere Composition Diagram) |
| Above 150 miles (~250
km): Oxygen atoms (O) are most numerous and emit
their RED only at very high altitudes because they lose
their energy with other collisions at lower altitudes. |
 Gwich'in Steering Committee http://ourarcticrefuge.org/wp-content/gallery/photo-gallery/red-aurora-borealis-over-brooks-range-in-arctic-refuge-2001.jpg |
| 60-150 miles (100-250 km)
Molecular nitrogen (N2) interacts with atomic oxygen (O),
and oxygen releases a clear GREEN wavelength. This
causes the DOMINANT GREEN appearance of the aurora. |
 Aurora Borealis Lodge https://esfaic.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/mar05superaurora.jpg |
| 40-90 miles (60-120 km)
molecular nitrogen (N2) is most common and if energized by
falling solar particles, will emit its characteristic
MAGENTA, reaching to the bottom of the thermosphere along
the hem of auroral curtains. Note how atomic oxygen
drops off rapidly below 100 km where it forms O2 instead
and magenta N2 becomes very dominant. |
 Dora Miller http://www.auroradora.com/img/s7/v164/p836449891-3.jpg |