The Northern Lights have never been more popular than they are today, a big thanks to the internet and digital cameras. Fast moving electrically charged particles coming from the Sun, collide with oxygen and nitrogen gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. As they come down into the atmosphere, the particles pass on their energy to the oxygen and nitrogen molecules, getting them all excited. When the molecules return to their normal state, they release photons, a small amount of energy in the form of light. When billions of these collisions occur, there is enough light for our eyes to detect. This glow can light up the sky in various colours. Since it’s dimmer than sunlight, it’s only visible during the night. The different colours of the aurora depend on which gas is being excited and how much energy is being released. Many of us were witnesses to this amazing natural light show, in October and November.
