What is the Aurora Borealis?

Occasionally we are treated to an amazing display in the nighttime northern sky. We are talking about the Northern Lights. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, these optical events are much more common in the northern latitudes, but during periods of high solar activity, Western New York can also experience them.

The aurora forms as highly energized particles from the sun, known as the solar wind, impacts the Earth’s magnetosphere. This collision moves high energy particles from the Earth’s magnetosphere into the Earth’s upper atmosphere where they excite gas atoms and molecules. The excited gases in the Earth’s upper atmosphere emit visible radiation and start to glow.

The best possible conditions for the aurora borealis are clear, calm, and dry nights.  Look away from any artificial light sources for best viewing.