APOD 1.3- Aurora Over Norway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sa-3DoXHQQ&feature=related

        These northern lights were photographed in Norway over the  weekend. In the photo there are several satellite streaks as well as one from an airplane flying through. This illuminated phenomenon called an aurora is the result of many streams of charged electron particles colliding as they enter the earth's atmosphere. Charged particles are deflected by earth's magnetic fields, which creates a magnetosphere. When electrons hit an obstacle in the magnetosphere, they produce light, and this process is what gives the illusion of colorful lights in the northern sky. When any powerful magnetic event, such as a large solar flare, takes place on the Sun, an aurora on Earth can aurora can be predicted to happen afterwards because the energy will hit earth's atmosphere, and possibly create light. Auroras are also visible in ultra-violet or X-rays as the light bounces off of the layers of earth's atmosphere.

     Streams of charged particles collide with earth after an electromagnetic event takes place on the Sun. This shows earth's magnestosphere.