AURORA BOREAL o austral ¿Sabes cómo se forman? | VITUAL
How Do Auroras Form?
Introduction to Auroras
- The video discusses the formation of auroras, specifically the northern (aurora borealis) and southern lights (aurora australis), and their spectacular nature.
- It introduces the sun as the primary source of this phenomenon, explaining its role in emitting electromagnetic radiation.
Solar Activity and Its Effects
- The sun occasionally forms magnetic arcs that release charged solar particles, leading to solar storms comparable to massive sandstorms in space.
- These solar storms travel towards Earth, taking approximately 1 to 3 days to arrive depending on their speed.
Earth's Magnetic Field as a Shield
- Earth possesses a significant magnetic field that acts as a protective shield against incoming solar storms.
- Charged particles from these storms can penetrate Earth's magnetic field near geomagnetic poles, allowing them to reach the atmosphere.
Interaction with Earth's Atmosphere
- When solar particles collide with atmospheric atoms (mainly oxygen and nitrogen), energy is transferred, increasing atomic energy levels.
- As these excited atoms return to their normal state, they emit light, creating the visual spectacle known as auroras.
Differences Between Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis
- The main distinction between auroras borealis and australis lies in their geographical origins: borealis occurs in the northern hemisphere while australis appears in the southern hemisphere.