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| Energy of the Auras | |||||||||||||
| Solar Wind | |||||||||||||
| Solar Wind is made of protons, ions, and electrons. The sun is constantly eminating solar wind. When the solar wind reaches the earth the first thing it reaches is the magnetic field surounding the earth. The magnetic field is reffered to the van allen belts. Once the solar wind comes in contact with the magnetic field it is directed toward the poles of the earth along the magnetic field. When the solar wind arives at the poles it finally reaches the earths atmosphere. The protons and electrons of the solar wind react with the oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere. When the particles of the solar wind react with the atmosphere molecules it causes the electrons in the solar wind to reach a higher energy level. When the electrons come back to their ground state they release photons producing light. The color scheme of the aurora is dependent on what the solar wind reacts with. When the particles of the solar wind react with the nitrogen in the atmosphere it creates a pink color. The same is true of oxygen except green is created. This reaction is the cause of the beatiful colors we associate with the Aurora Borealis. | |||||||||||||
| Van Allen Belts | |||||||||||||
| Van Allen Belts were discovered by Doctor James Van Allen in 1958. Van Allen Belts are the formal name of magnetic fields. These Van Allen Belts are formed when the solar wind from the the sun comes in contact with magnetic field of the earth. Van ALlen Belts are what guide the solar wind toward the poles of the earth. Without Van Allen Belts the solar wind would never come in contact with the atmosphere, and without that reaction that reaction the aurora would never be produced. | |||||||||||||
| Sunspots and Solar Flares | |||||||||||||
| Sunspots run on an eleven year cycle. Sunshpots are areas on the surgace of the sun where the temperature is cooler than other regions of the sun. Sunspots have concentrated magnetic fields where explosions often occur. Solar Flares occur when magnetic energy built up in the solar atmosphere is released. Flares extend out to the outer most layer of the sun called Corona. Solar flares are on average between ten and twenty million degrees Kelvin. Zero degrees Kelvin is equal to 273.16 degrees in celcius. The Corona of the sun is not uniform. The active regions are most likely found along the equater of the sun. There are certain areas that are more reactive than others. The solar flares and sunspots occur in the active regions. | |||||||||||||