The Colors of the Night Sky: Understanding the Northern Lights Spectrum

Let's Understand the DIFFERENT SPECTRUM OF NORTHERN LIGHTS

Discover how the intensity and distribution of solar particles, as well as atmospheric conditions, contribute to the diverse range of colors in the Northern Lights.

Color Variations

Learn how the altitude of the auroras influences their colors, with lower-altitude auroras appearing predominantly green and higher-altitude auroras displaying red and purple hues.

Altitude Effects

Green is the most common color of the Northern Lights, caused by oxygen atoms in the Earth's atmosphere at lower altitudes.

Green Auroras

They are less frequent but stunning red auroras, produced by oxygen atoms at higher altitudes of over 150 miles.

Red Auroras

Mesmerizing blue hues of the auroras, RESULTS  from nitrogen molecules in the Earth's atmosphere at lower altitudes.

Blue Auroras

purple auroras are a blend of red and blue emissions from both oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the atmosphere.

Purple Auroras

White auroras occur when multiple colors blend together, often seen during intense geomagnetic storms.

White Auroras