Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Question: What do solar flares interact with when they hit Earth to create the spectacular aurora borealis?

Answer: The sun’s solar flares and ejections interact with Earth’s geomagnetic field to create the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. Some solar radiation is always hitting Earth around the North Pole, but when larger solar flares and ejections hit Earth, it makes the aurora borealis stronger and pushes it farther away from the North Pole, so people in other parts of the world can see it. People like … you! Check out the photos (following our bonus info) from North Carolina readers on both sides of our state!

Bonus info: Earth’s geomagnetic field is generated in our planet’s interior. It extends out into space to create a region we call the magnetosphere. This field protects life as we know it on Earth. Without it, we would be unprotected from the constant bombardment of charged particles emitted from the sun and solar wind.

Photo submitted by Molly in Newport
Photo submitted by a reader in Asheville