Aurora
These mesmerising, glowing, oval shaped lights appear in the sky when sunlight photons collide with particles in a planet’s atmosphere. They occur near a planet’s magnetic poles and are caused by solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles that originate in the upper atmosphere of the Sun and consist mainly of electrons and protons. Green auroras are more common at lower altitudes, where atomic oxygen concentrations are higher, while red occurs at higher altitudes.
Sunscreen might have helped early humans outlive Neanderthals
In a time when auroras danced over most of the Earth and the sun’s rays were more powerful than today, sunscreen may have been Homo sapiens’ secret weapon
Northern lights tonight: How to see stunning summer auroras
Whether you’re in the UK, US or the rest of the world, auroras be visible tonight.
Auroras could soon pose serious threat to our electrical infrastructure, study reveals
Sure, they’re pretty, but a new study has revealed how the northern lights can come with a nasty bite.
Auroras tonight: How to see stunning Northern Lights sparked by giant solar storm
A severe solar storm is set to create a spectacular light show tonight and over the weekend.
Auroras tonight: How to spot the 2024 northern lights
A massive solar storm is set to create a spectacular light show tonight, possibly as far south as the midwest US.
Solar storms have dramatically increased this year. Should we be worried?
It’s storm season on the Sun: Here’s everything you need to know about the Sun’s 11-year cycle and why we’re seeing so many aurorae.
Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2017
Check out this stunning collection of astrophotography from the IAPY2017 shortlist from the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Jupiter ‘Northern Lights’ caused by solar storms
Chandra X-Ray Observatory spots aurora eight times brighter than normal and hundreds of times more energetic than those on Earth.
Preview: Aurora Dream-Enhancing Headband
Fancy battling fire-breathing dragons from the comfort of your bed? We preview the Aurora headband, which claims to let you control your dreams and conjure up your wildest fantasies...