Back in April, I saw and photographed my very first auroral display. And what a display it was!!!
So what is an Aurora?
Auroras are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. Major disturbances result from enhancements in the speed of the solar wind from coronal holes and coronal mass ejections. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles in the magnetospheric plasma. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate into the upper atmosphere. The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric constituents emit light of varying colour and complexity. The form of the aurora, occurring within bands around both polar regions, is also dependent on the amount of acceleration imparted to the precipitating particles.
In the Northern Hemisphere, it is referred to as the Aurora Borealis and in the Southern Hemisphere (where I live) it is referred to as the Aurora Australis.
When nature puts on a light show, all you can do is just sit back in awe and enjoy.
