Northern Lights

Why can the Northern Lights be different colors?

• It depends on the gas from the sun

• It depends on which gases in the atmosphere are reacting and the energy level of the photons

• It depends on the time of day

The best place(s) to see the Northern Lights include:

• Alaska

• Spain

• Boston

• Scandinavia

• Canada

What is the scientific name for the northern lights?

• Polaris

• Arctic Glow

• Boreal Beam

• Aurora Borealis

What causes the northern lights to occur?

• Solar wind and Earth's magnetic field interaction

• Volcanic eruptions

• Alien activity

• Global warming and pollution

What causes auroras ?

• Asteroid collisions with Earth's atmosphere

• Solar wind particles interacting with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere

• Volcanic eruptions

• Global warming effects

Answer explanation

Auroras are caused by solar wind particles colliding with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, creating beautiful light displays. This interaction is the primary reason for the occurrence of auroras.

Where in Earth's atmosphere do auroras dance and shimmer?

• Exosphere

• Stratosphere

• Troposphere

• Thermosphere

What is solar wind and how does it contribute to the northern lights?

• Solar wind is a phenomenon caused by the rotation of the Earth, which leads to the appearance of the northern lights.

• Solar wind is a result of the Earth's magnetic field interacting with the sun's atmosphere, creating the northern lights.

• Solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the sun. When these particles reach the Earth's magnetic field, they interact with the gases in the atmosphere, causing the northern lights.

• Solar wind is a type of wind that blows from the sun to the Earth, carrying dust particles that cause the northern lights.

How do scientists predict when the northern lights will be visible?

• By counting the number of stars in the sky

• By analyzing the phases of the moon

• Based on solar activity and geomagnetic conditions

• By observing the migration patterns of birds

What is the role of the magnetic field in the formation of the northern lights?

• The magnetic field guides charged particles from the sun towards the Earth's poles.

• The magnetic field attracts clouds that create the northern lights

• The magnetic field repels charged particles from the sun

• The magnetic field has no effect on the formation of the northern lights

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-3

What colors are commonly seen in the northern lights?

• Red, yellow, orange, and black

• Green, pink, purple, and blue

• White, brown, gray, and silver

• Turquoise, magenta, maroon, and gold