All You Need to Know About the Aurora Borealis

Millions of Americans were treated to a rare treat in the night skies in mid-November when the northern lights danced across a large swath of the country. As anyone who has ever seen these lights agrees, the aurora borealis is one of the most awe-inspiring shows from Mother Nature. Here are a few facts about these stunning lights, including how to increase your odds of seeing the spectacle.

Triggered by Solar Activity

The aurora borealis typically ignites a few days after solar events known in astronomical circles as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These solar flares send a bevy of electrons toward the atmosphere, interacting with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's magnetic field. The result of this interaction is the brilliant display of colors called the aurora borealis.

The electrons meet with the oxygen and nitrogen molecules, creating energy that is then released as light as they start to relax. The light emitted from these molecules generates the visible aurora that attracts attention from around the world.