The famous Northern and Southern Lights — Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis for those Latin lovers among us — are caused by high-energy particles from the Sun cascading down on Earth. As they near our planet, they interact with Earth’s magnetic field, which channels them toward the north and south magnetic poles.
In the north, the phenomenon is called the aurora borealis or the northern lights. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the aurora australis, or southern lights. The name is different and it turns out that the view from each pole can be different too.
Subsequently, Is there a southern aurora borealis?
Called the southern lights, or aurora australis, it’s the southern cousin to the aurora borealis and can best be seen from the most southern of landmasses, such as Tasmania, New Zealand and Antarctica. … Here are four aurora australis hotspots for those looking for a southern celestial spectacle.
Also, How are the northern and southern lights difference?
The main difference? One occurs near the south pole, and the others at the north. The scientific name for the northern lights is Aurora Borealis, while the scientific name for the southern lights is Aurora Australis.
Are the southern lights the same as the northern lights?
An aurora is a natural electric phenomenon that creates bright and colorful light displays in the sky. … In the Arctic Circle, they are known as aurora borealis or the northern lights, while in the Antarctic Circle they are called aurora australis or the southern lights.
Last Review : 17 days ago.
What causes the aurora borealis simple explanation?
The “northern lights” are caused by collisions between fast-moving particles (electrons) from space and the oxygen and nitrogen gas in our atmosphere. These electrons originate in the magnetosphere, the region of space controlled by Earth’s magnetic field.
What are the Southern Lights known as?
Northern lights are also called by their scientific name, aurora borealis, and southern lights are called aurora australis.
What is the southern equivalent of the aurora borealis?
aurora australis
Does Aurora Borealis happen in the South?
The north pole aurora is called the aurora borealis and the aurora at the south pole is called the aurora australis.
Why do the northern and southern lights differ?
So as the solar winds’ bombardment of Earth shifts from perpendicular to more parallel with the poles, it forces the auroras to change shape or location, causing the asymmetry between the northern and southern lights.
What is the difference between aurora borealis and aurora australis?
An aurora is a natural electric phenomenon that creates bright and colorful light displays in the sky. … In the Arctic Circle, they are known as aurora borealis or the northern lights, while in the Antarctic Circle they are called aurora australis or the southern lights.
Can the northern lights be seen in the South?
Northern Lights can be seen in the northern or southern hemisphere, in an irregularly shaped oval centred over each magnetic pole. The lights are known as ‘Aurora borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south.
What causes aurora australis?
The famous Northern and Southern Lights — Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis for those Latin lovers among us — are caused by high-energy particles from the Sun cascading down on Earth. As they near our planet, they interact with Earth’s magnetic field, which channels them toward the north and south magnetic poles.
Can you see the aurora borealis in the Southern Hemisphere?
Northern Lights can be seen in the northern or southern hemisphere, in an irregularly shaped oval centred over each magnetic pole. The lights are known as ‘Aurora borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south.
Is Aurora and Northern Lights the same?
Polar lights (aurora polaris) are a natural phenomenon found in both the northern and southern hemispheres that can be truly awe inspiring. Northern lights are also called by their scientific name, aurora borealis, and southern lights are called aurora australis.
Why are northern lights only in the North?
The lights are known as ‘Aurora borealis’ in the north and ‘Aurora australis’ in the south. … Because the phenomena occurs near the magnetic poles, northern lights have been seen as far south as New Orleans in the western hemisphere, while similar locations in the east never experience the mysterious lights.
Does Australia have aurora borealis?
Auroras tend to be most visible during the autumn and vernal equinoxes. … The equivalent of the aurora borealis in the Southern Hemisphere, aurora australis are most commonly found in southern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Antarctica, per Smithsonian Magazine.
Why are there northern lights and not Southern Lights?
So as the solar winds’ bombardment of Earth shifts from perpendicular to more parallel with the poles, it forces the auroras to change shape or location, causing the asymmetry between the northern and southern lights.
How far south can the Northern Lights be seen?
To observers at far-northern latitudes, the Lights are a frequent occurrence, but many who live in more temperate climates have never seen them, even though they are occasionally seen as far south as 35 degrees North latitude.
What is the difference between the northern lights and the southern lights?
An aurora is a natural electric phenomenon that creates bright and colorful light displays in the sky. … In the Arctic Circle, they are known as aurora borealis or the northern lights, while in the Antarctic Circle they are called aurora australis or the southern lights.
[advanced_iframe use_shortcode_attributes_only=”true” src=”about:blank” height=”800″ width=”800″ change_parent_links_target=”a#link1″ show_iframe_as_layer=”external” enable_ios_mobile_scolling=”true”]
Spread the word ! Don’t forget to share.