The Aurora and Atomic Physics

By Hind Hayder Oleish

Grade 11G

Physics P.A.(2011-2012)Term 2

What is the Aurora?• A natural light display seen in the sky of high

latitudes. It is known around Northern latitudes as Northern lights or Aurora Borealis, and around southern latitudes as Southern lights or Aurora Australis.

The Sun: A glowing sphere of hot gas and mostly

plasma.

• The Third state of matter.

Where does it originate?

GasHeated

Plasma Partially ionized

gas

The Sun’s energy

Outer atmosphere.

Convection cell: circulation of hot and

cool plasma.

Energy from nuclear fusion

• Slow Solar wind

FromEquator

N

S

• Fast Solar wind

From Coronal holes

( open field lines)

Ejected Plasma Solar Wind

Sun-Earth Connection• After about 4 days, solar wind reaches Earth.• It affects Earth’s magnetic field, changing its

shape:

What produces the dancing lights?

Oxygen

Nitrogen

When can you see the Aurora?• It is known to appear every 11 years,

according to the sunspot cycle.

GreenlandCanada

Norway

Antarctica

New Zealand

Australia

Sources:

• http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/themis/auroras/sun_earth_connect.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_(astronomy)

• http://www.northernlightscentre.ca/northernlights.html