The Aurora Borealis

Viewed from Kiruna, Lapland, Sweden - September 2001

The aurora is one of the most fascinating phenomena that can be seen from Earth. It is caused mainly by electrons, which accelerated in the earth's magnetosphere, and powered by the solar wind, bomabard the upper atmosphere in northern latitudes (aurora australis is the southern hemisphere equivalent). The colours of the aurora vary accourding to the velocity of the electrons, and to which constituents of the atmosphere they excite.

Photos by Madgirl

For more in depth information regarding this subject click on IRF - Swedish Institute Of Space Physics

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