Sky science
Aurora
Direct answer
Aurora is atmospheric light produced when energetic particles interact with gases high in a planet's atmosphere, often guided by magnetic fields toward polar regions.
Aurora is upper-atmosphere light created by energetic particles and magnetic activity.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Astronomy, Skywatching, Celestial Sphere, Ecliptic
Aurora is upper-atmosphere light created by energetic particles and magnetic activity.
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The story behind Aurora
Communities have documented aurora for millennia; modern space science explains its relationship to charged particles, magnetic fields, and atmospheric emissions.
A one-minute story
The Wandering Stars
How the moving planets were watched, named and found, and what a transit is.
Why Aurora matters
Aurora connects solar activity, Earth's magnetosphere, atmospheric gases, latitude, and real-time space-weather conditions.
Aurora in practice: an example
A strong geomagnetic disturbance can extend auroral visibility farther from the poles, while cameras may record color more strongly than human eyes.
Where readings of Aurora go wrong
A common error is to equate every colored night cloud with aurora or promise visibility from a broad regional alert.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NASA Science: Auroras - NASA explanation of auroral light, energetic particles, atmospheric gases, and space weather.
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: Aurora - Operational space-weather explanation of aurora and geomagnetic activity.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Check current aurora conditions
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Common questions
What is aurora?
Aurora is atmospheric light produced when energetic particles interact with gases high in a planet's atmosphere, often guided by magnetic fields toward polar regions.
What do people get wrong about aurora?
A common error is to equate every colored night cloud with aurora or promise visibility from a broad regional alert.
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