In Pics: Stunning Aurora Substorm Captured By Stargazers

Northern Lights brighten the night sky during geomagnetic storms, offering a spectacular sight for observers.

Earth's Magnetosphere and Its Role

Many planets, including Earth, have a magnetosphere — a vast magnetic shield generated by the planet’s molten metal core, extending far into space. Earth's magnetosphere protects the planet by absorbing energy from harmful charged particles in space.

Formation of Geomagnetic Storms

When parts of the magnetosphere accumulate excess energy, a geomagnetic storm can erupt, similar to how thunderclouds develop before a storm. During these storms, energy flows along Earth's magnetic field lines and descends into the atmosphere like heavy rainfall.

Auroral Displays During Storms

Millions of amps of charged particles enter the atmosphere during geomagnetic storms, creating dazzling auroral displays visible far from the poles.

Solar Activity and Auroras

Magnetic storms on the Sun occasionally eject large bursts of solar material called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These massive blobs of solar material travel through space and influence Earth's magnetosphere.

Colors of the Aurora

Aurora colors arise from energetic particles colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere. Each gas emits specific colors at various altitudes:

Green auroras: Electrons excite oxygen at 100-200 km altitude (most common color).
Blue auroras: Caused by nitrogen gas excited at 100-200 km altitude.
Reddish-purple or pink glows: Produced by nitrogen below 100 km altitude.

"Aurora colors result from energetic particles colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere, with each gas producing distinct colors at different altitudes."

Author's summary: Earth's magnetosphere shields the planet from solar activity, creating breathtaking auroras when charged particles excite atmospheric gases at different altitudes.

Mashable India — 2025-11-07