In Pics: Stunning Aurora Substorm Captured By Stargazers

Many planets, including Earth, possess a magnetosphere—a vast magnetic shield created by the shifting molten metal core that stretches far into space. This magnetosphere safeguards Earth from harmful charged particles in space by absorbing their energy on contact.

When certain areas of the magnetosphere accumulate excessive energy, a geomagnetic storm can erupt, similar to thunderclouds forming before a storm. During such a storm, this stored energy flows down Earth's magnetic field lines and descends into the atmosphere like a heavy downpour.

This particle precipitation injects millions of amps into the atmosphere, producing spectacular auroral displays visible far from the poles.

Solar Activity and Coronal Mass Ejections

The Sun occasionally releases massive bursts of solar material in a series of explosive events known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These enormous blobs travel through space and contribute to geomagnetic storms on Earth.

Origin of Aurora Colors

Aurora colors arise from energetic particles colliding with gases high in the atmosphere, with each gas producing specific colors at different altitudes:

Green auroras: The most common, arise when electrons excite oxygen gas between 100 and 200 km altitude.
Blue auroras: Produced by excited nitrogen gas at 100-200 km altitude.
Reddish-purple or pink glows: Created by nitrogen below 100 km altitude.

Northern Lights to brighten your doomscroll.

Author’s summary: Earth's magnetosphere shields us from space particles, and when overloaded, triggers breathtaking auroras colored by atmospheric gases energized through solar-driven geomagnetic storms.

Mashable India — 2025-11-07