The birth of an aurora begins 150 million kilometres away on the surface of the sun. A solar flare sends showers of charged particles hurtling through space towards Earth. Surrounding the Earth is a giant invisible magnetic field and most of the particles are deflected away into space. However, some are able to penetrate the field and when they reach the upper atmosphere they produce a visible light which is called the Aurora Borealis. The same thing happens in a neon sign.
Astronomers predict that the next sunspot peak will be in 2013, which is called a solar maximum. This last occurred in 1958 and there were spectacular displays of the northern lights that were visible as far south as Mexico. Below is an amazing stop motion video called the Celestial Lights which was shot in the northern parts of Norway, Finland and Sweden during the Autumn of 2011 and the Winter and Spring of 2012.
To Mr.preshaw
I thought that the video was relly cool.
Carson
I think that was the coolest video yet
joey
It was a very cool video! I liked it a lot! Now I really want to see the real thing!
Maya.
The northern lights looked really cool. I also think the backrounds in the video looked cool. Next year with the solar max thing will I be able to see the northern lights from my house.
Great comment, Joshua. We will have to wait and see how strong the Northern Lights activity is in 2013. From your house you may experience too much light pollution, but if you were to go outside of the city, maybe you will be able to see the Aurora Borealis next year. Thanks for watching the video and did you see it on ‘Full screen’?
Thanks for watching the video, Maya. Did you watch it on ‘Full Screen’ and listen to the music?
Dear Carson,
Did you watch the video on ‘Full Sreen’ and listen to the music? I’m glad you liked the video and don’t forget to study your Spelling.
That was amazing I cant wait till 2013 nice choice Mr.Preshaw.
I really liked the video my favourite picture was the last one.
Thanks Thomas. Did you watch it in ‘Full Screen’ and listen to the music? I hope you get to see the Aurora Borealis in 2013.
Thanks for watching the video, Alec. Tomorrow we will do the ‘Kilometre Club’.
Thanks for watching the video, Joey. Did you watch it in ‘Full Screen’ and listen to the music?
I relly want to see those. My mom went to the Yukon once and saw the Aurora Borealis.