Aurora Borealis Phenomenon in European Skies, What’s the Difference from Aurora Australis – 2024-05-13 12:25:45

The Aurora Borealis that appears in European skies turns out to be different from the Aurora Australis (AFP)

THE Aurora PHENOMENON, known as the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, has occurred in several countries in Europe and the United States. This light appearance is rare because it usually only occurs in the polar regions.

Reported by Al Jazeera, an extraordinarily strong solar storm hit Earth, creating a stunning colorful scene in the sky of the northern hemisphere on Saturday (11/5) morning.

In this article, we will look at the meaning of the Aurora Borealis phenomenon which appears in the skies of Europe and the Aurora Australis which often appears in the Southern Hemisphere.

Difference between Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis

1. Aurora Borealis

Aurora borealis and aurora australis are two enchanting natural phenomena that often occur in the skies of the north and south poles. Although both have similarities in their origins and causes, there are also interesting differences between them.

Aurora Borealis is an amazing natural phenomenon that occurs in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere. This phenomenon occurs when charged particles from the sun, called the solar wind, collide with the Earth’s atmosphere. When these particles interact with gas molecules such as nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere, they cause visible light in the sky. This interaction produces beautiful and colorful light patterns, including green, red, blue and purple.

Aurora Borealis is often referred to as the “Northern Lights” because it is often seen in areas near the North Pole, especially in areas close to the Arctic circle. This phenomenon usually occurs more often during winter, especially when solar activity is high.

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The beauty of the aurora borealis makes it one of the most amazing natural views in the world. Skywatchers and travelers often plan special trips to witness this phenomenon firsthand. Apart from its extraordinary beauty, the aurora borealis is also an important object of scientific research in understanding the interaction between the sun and the earth’s atmosphere.

2. The Southern Dawn

Aurora Australis is a stunning natural phenomenon that occurs in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere. Commonly known as the “Southern Lights”, the aurora australis occurs when charged particles from the sun, called the solar wind, collide with the Earth’s atmosphere in the southern hemisphere. The interaction between these charged particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere, such as nitrogen and oxygen, produces the light visible in the sky.

This phenomenon is often characterized by beautiful and colored light patterns, similar to the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere. The visible colors usually include green and red, but can also include other colors such as blue and purple, depending on the type of gas involved in the interaction.

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Aurora Australis is usually seen in areas close to the South Pole, but can also sometimes be seen in areas farther from the pole, especially during periods of high solar activity. This phenomenon also often occurs during winter in the Southern Hemisphere, when the nights are longer and the sky is darker.

The beauty and uniqueness of Aurora Australis makes it a source of wonder and awe for skywatchers and scientific researchers around the world. Apart from being a tourist attraction, the aurora australis is also an important scientific research object in understanding the earth’s atmosphere and its interaction with the sun.

Origin and Cause

1. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights):

   • Auroras borealis occur in the Northern Hemisphere.

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   • The cause is when charged particles from the sun meet the earth’s atmosphere and interact with gas molecules such as nitrogen and oxygen. This interaction produces visible light in the sky.

   • The best time to see the aurora borealis is usually in winter and when the sun is in its period of highest activity.

2. Aurora Australis (Southern Lights):

   • Aurora australis occurs in the Southern Hemisphere.

   • The cause is similar to the aurora borealis, but occurs in the southern atmosphere of the earth.

   • Like the aurora borealis, the aurora australis also often occurs during winter and when the sun is in a phase of high activity.

Differences in Appearance

1. Position in Heaven:

   • The aurora borealis is usually visible in the northern sky.

   • Aurora australis visible in the southern sky.

   • Both occur around the polar circle, but the aurora borealis is more frequently observed because of the large amount of land in the northern hemisphere.

2. Visible Colors:

   • Auroras borealis often have brighter and more varied colors, including green, red, blue, and purple.

   • Aurora australis also displays beautiful colors, but often has more dominant greens and reds.

The aurora borealis and aurora australis offer stunning natural views and are a source of wonder and awe for people all over the world. Even though they take place in opposite areas of the earth, both convey messages regarding the amazing beauty and wonder of the universe. (Z-10)

Scientific Source

• _{“Auroras: Paintings in the Sky” by Geoff Jenkins, published by Springer Science & Business Media, 2013.}
• _{“Aurora: Observing and Recording Nature’s Spectacular Light Show” oleh Neil Bone, terbitan Springer Science & Business Media, tahun 2007.}
• _{“The Northern Lights: Celestial Performances of the Aurora Borealis” by Daryl Pederson, published by Sasquatch Books, 2001.}
• _{Andrews, Tim. “The Southern Lights: All About Aurora Australis.” EarthSky, 20 Januari 2022, www.earthsky.org/earth/aurora-australis-southern-lights-more-than-meets-the-eye/.}