The Aurora Borealis: Nature's Light Show Explained (2025 update)
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Alexandra Stone
15 July 2024
đź•“ 10 min
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, remains one of the most mesmerising natural spectacles visible on Earth. Dancing across the night skies of the polar regions, this incredible phenomenon fills the heavens with vibrant streaks of green, red, and purple—captivating all who are lucky enough to witness it. But beyond its beauty lies an astonishing story of solar winds, magnetic fields, and the delicate chemistry of our planet’s atmosphere.
In 2025, understanding the science behind the Aurora Borealis helps deepen our appreciation for the interconnectedness of Earth and space. It's a living lesson in physics, chemistry, and environmental science—perfect for inspiring young minds to see the magic in the world around them.
At The Science of Sound, we love to explore the wonders of nature through our holiday camps, after-school clubs, workshops, and birthday parties. In this blog, we'll reveal the secrets behind the Northern Lights—and why they continue to ignite imaginations across generations.
1. What Causes the Aurora Borealis?
The Aurora Borealis is the dazzling result of a cosmic dance between the sun and Earth’s atmosphere. It begins with solar wind—a continuous stream of charged particles emitted by the sun. During periods of heightened solar activity, such as solar storms or coronal mass ejections, the flow of these particles becomes even stronger.
When this stream reaches Earth, the planet’s magnetic field acts like a protective shield, steering the charged particles towards the polar regions. Here, near the magnetic poles, the particles are funnelled into the upper atmosphere.
As the charged particles collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen, they transfer energy to these molecules. This process, known as atmospheric excitation, causes the gas molecules to light up—creating the shimmering curtains, arcs, and spirals of colour we recognise as the Northern Lights.
The Aurora is a vivid reminder of our planet’s connection to the vastness of space, showcasing how solar and atmospheric forces create beauty beyond imagination.
2. The Colours of the Aurora
The breathtaking colours of the Aurora Borealis aren’t random—they are determined by the type of gas the solar particles collide with and the altitude at which the collisions occur.
Green: The most common colour seen in the Northern Lights, green is produced when solar particles interact with oxygen molecules at lower altitudes (around 100–300 km or 62–186 miles above Earth). This green light often forms the main body of auroral displays.
Red: At much higher altitudes (above 300 km or 186 miles), collisions with oxygen can produce a rare and mesmerising red aurora. Red displays are less frequent but can create stunning overhead glows.
Purple and Blue: These vibrant hues appear when the solar particles interact with nitrogen molecules. Blue typically occurs at lower altitudes, while purple shades can appear along the edges of green bands, adding beautiful contrast.
Each dazzling colour is a testament to the invisible interplay of space and atmosphere—a living painting high above the Earth’s surface.
3. Where and When to See the Aurora Borealis
The Aurora Borealis is most commonly visible in regions near the Earth’s magnetic poles. The further north you travel, the better your chances of witnessing this breathtaking spectacle.
candinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland)
eland
Canada (particularly the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut)
Alaska (USA)
Parts of Greenland and northern Russia
Best Time of Year:
The Northern Lights are most visible between late September and early April, when nights are longest and skies are darkest. Winter months offer the clearest viewing opportunities, provided the weather cooperates.
Viewing Tips:
Seek Clear Skies: Cloud cover can block your view, so aim for nights with minimal cloudiness.
Avoid Light Pollution: Head away from cities and artificial lights to see the aurora in its full brilliance.
Monitor Solar Activity: Websites and apps provide real-time aurora forecasts, helping you plan the best nights for viewing.
With patience and a little luck, the aurora's luminous dance can be an unforgettable, life-changing experience.
4. Cultural Significance of the Aurora Borealis
For centuries, the Aurora Borealis has fascinated cultures across the globe, inspiring legends, myths, and spiritual beliefs. Long before the scientific explanation was understood, people looked to the sky and saw magic in the swirling lights.
In Norse mythology, the aurora was believed to be the reflections of Valkyries’ armour as they rode across the sky, guiding fallen warriors to Valhalla. This gave the lights a deep spiritual connection to bravery and the afterlife.
Among Indigenous Sami communities in Scandinavia, the lights were seen as sacred. Some believed they were the energies of ancestors or messages from the spirit world. Children were often told to remain quiet and respectful when the lights appeared.
Inuit stories describe the aurora as the spirits of animals or people playing games in the sky, such as football with a walrus skull. These tales emphasised harmony between humans, nature, and the cosmos.
These cultural interpretations remind us that science and storytelling often coexist, enriching our experience of the natural world.
5. Capturing the Aurora on Camera
Photographing the Aurora Borealis is both a technical challenge and a magical reward. With the right tools and settings, you can capture the full majesty of this natural light show to remember and share for years to come.
Top Tips for Aurora Photography:
Use a Tripod: Since the aurora is best captured using long exposures, a stable tripod is essential to avoid blurry images.
Choose a Wide-Angle Lens: A wide-angle lens allows you to capture more of the sky and landscape in a single frame, enhancing the dramatic effect.
Adjust Your Camera Settings:
ISO: Set between 800 and 3200 to capture low-light scenes.
Aperture: Use a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider) to let in as much light as possible.
Shutter Speed: Experiment with 5 to 30 seconds, depending on the brightness and movement of the aurora.
Manual Focus: Autofocus often struggles in low light, so switch to manual and pre-focus on a distant object.
With patience and a bit of trial and error, you can capture your very own snapshot of the sky's most enchanting performance.
Final Thoughts
The Aurora Borealis is more than just a light show—it's a vivid reminder of the awe-inspiring forces that shape our planet and our skies. In 2025, we have more ways than ever to understand and appreciate the science behind this spectacular natural phenomenon, from solar winds to magnetic fields and atmospheric chemistry.
At The Science of Sound, we use magical moments like these to inspire the next generation of curious minds. Our holiday camps, after-school clubs, science workshops, and birthday parties bring natural wonders to life through hands-on experiments, storytelling, and sensory learning experiences.
Whether you're dreaming of seeing the Northern Lights in person or exploring the science from your classroom or kitchen table, there's always something new to discover. With every curious question and wide-eyed gaze, children take one more step into a world filled with wonder, knowledge, and endless possibilities.
