Northern Lights in the South - How does that happen?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Georgia, Racha

Whole Georgia speaks about the Northern Lights being seen right now on the sky of Georgia.

It is being seen in Ukraine too.

It obviously has reached South-Eastern Extreme of Europe.

Ukraine

Georgia 🇬🇪

Georgia 🇬🇪

Here, I have some photos from Georgia.

What’s happening?

I am so sad, I am not there to witness it.

It’s the morning in China and yet in Georgia they see Northern Lights, I missed once in a century experience 🥹

[Lj0011]

I've lived in Northern Norway and worked as a guide for the northern lights

1. Solar Wind: The Sun constantly releases a stream of charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, called the solar wind. Occasionally, the Sun experiences solar flares or coronal mass ejections, releasing larger amounts of these particles.

2. Earth's Magnetic Field: Earth has a protective magnetic field that surrounds it. This field is created by the movement of molten iron and nickel in the planet's outer core. The field extends into space and forms a region called the magnetosphere.

3. Interaction: When the solar wind reaches Earth, it carries with it these charged particles. As they approach Earth, some of these particles are trapped and funneled along the planet's magnetic field lines.

4. Polar Regions: The charged particles tend to concentrate near the North and South Poles because of the shape of Earth's magnetic field. This causes them to collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, primarily oxygen and nitrogen.

5. Light Emission: When these charged particles collide with the gases in the upper atmosphere, they transfer energy to the atmospheric particles. As these particles return to their normal state, they release energy in the form of light. Oxygen emits green and red colors, while nitrogen produces purples, pinks, and blues.

6. Color Variation: The specific colors and patterns of the Northern and Southern Lights depend on the type of gas in the atmosphere and the altitude at which the collisions occur.

The result is a stunning display of vibrant, swirling lights in the polar regions. The Northern Lights are visible in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Lights can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. These phenomena are most commonly observed during the winter months when the nights are longest and skies are darkest.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

You moved out of Australia? :O

[Lj0011]

Yes. However I'm in Australia for the next two months then going back.

[NathanDavis]

Northern Lights further South... these do happen when the Sun gets extra horny, lol...

"Do sunspots affect the Northern Lights?

Yes and no. The Solar Cycle refers to the number of sunspots present on the surface of the sun. This cycle lasts somewhere between 11-15 years. When the sun is at its most active and producing a lot of sunspots, it is referred to as the Solar Maximum and when the number of sunspots are at the lowest, it’s called the Solar Minimum.

The Northern Lights become more active and intense around Solar Maximum and in the three to four years immediately following the peak. During this time, the Northern Lights may be visible further south than usual, due to the increased number of electrically charged particles reaching the Earth. However, the polar auroras do not depend on sunspot activity at all. So, while it is true that sunspots affect the lights, this doesn’t apply to locations under the Auroral Ovals."

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Is not it dangerous that sun is so “horny”?

[NathanDavis]

it is usually not that bad, no... even with the most intense flares of the latest decades, their danger usually comes with the interference of that much electrically charged particles damaging some our sensible technology

but as far as I know, there has never been any widespread or massive damage to it... and no significant danger to us humans

[dynamicyandere]

The further light travels, the more red it will become, because light is just electromagnetic energy, and the shorter wavelengths (e. g. blue) can’t travel as far as the longer wavelengths (e. g. red) and that’s why the sunset appears in warm colors because only the longer wavelengths of light can reach our eyes after traveling such a far distance through the atmosphere.


It appears that the northern lights are reaching further than usual, and because the light is traveling such a far distance through the atmosphere, it’s appearing red.


Those red lights both very pretty and also slightly eerie considering world events.


As for why the Northern Lights in particular are behaving this way, @NathanDavis has provided a good explanation. 🙂

[Curmudgeon]

Apparently, if you read US Civil War era correspondence, from diaries to letters home to official reports, there was a similar anomaly happening during the winters of those years 1861-1865 as well, as the patterns were seen at night in latitudes much lower than normal.

[Guido]

Northern Lights are a pretty common sight in Western Canada.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

They are not common in Georgia :(

[NeverGiveUp69]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/u1h8cHUnP9k

This documentary will teach you about how Aurora Borealis (Northern lights) are created

[Lj0011]

Haha

[exitseven]

It is a function of electromagnetic waves. as opposed to temperature. I have seen the Northern lights in upstate New York.

[Sevenpointfive]

i don't know! i don't understand the atmosphere lol

[Grond21]

It depends on the magnetic field fluctuations and the coronal ejections

[Likes2drive]

Could be the poles are shifting, it is happening slowly

[Jerre]

A strong Geomagnetic Storm is enabling people further south to see the Northern Lights.

[love_conquers_lust]

It’s pretty, Femme.

[love_conquers_lust]

It reminds me of a bleeding heart. I’m sad today.