aurora

(An aurora, also commonly known as the northern lights (aurora borealis) )

An aurora, also commonly known as the northern lights (aurora borealis)

(or southern lights (aurora australis), is a natural light display in Earth's sky, )

or southern lights (aurora australis), is a natural light display in Earth's sky,

(predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). )

predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic).

(Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals, )

Auroras display dynamic patterns of brilliant lights that appear as curtains, rays, spirals,

(or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky. )

or dynamic flickers covering the entire sky.

(Auroras are the result of disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. )

Auroras are the result of disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere caused by the solar wind.

(Major disturbances result from enhancements in the speed of the solar wind from coronal holes )

Major disturbances result from enhancements in the speed of the solar wind from coronal holes

(and coronal mass ejections. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles )

and coronal mass ejections. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles

(in the magnetospheric plasma. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate )

in the magnetospheric plasma. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate

(into the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere). The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric )

into the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere). The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric

(constituents emit light of varying colour and complexity. The form of the aurora, )

constituents emit light of varying colour and complexity. The form of the aurora,

(occurring within bands around both polar regions, )

occurring within bands around both polar regions,

(is also dependent on the amount of acceleration imparted to the precipitating particles. )

is also dependent on the amount of acceleration imparted to the precipitating particles.

(Most of the planets in the Solar System, some natural satellites, brown dwarfs, )

Most of the planets in the Solar System, some natural satellites, brown dwarfs,

(and even comets also host auroras.)

and even comets also host auroras.