What are the Northern Lights?

Chemistry For Your Life

#184

That's right, the Northern Lights aren't just cool CGI after all. They're real, but what are they? Why do they occur? And how are they chemistry? Let's find out!

References from this Episode

1. https://webbtelescope.org/contents/articles/spectroscopy-101--types-of-spectra-and-spectroscopy
2. https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/educators/lessons/xray_spectra/background-atoms.html
3. https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/geomagnetic-storms
4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23377-5.epdf?sharing_token=Q0rjm5h2j_KavQboPe5r0NRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Nipe223V5hYGHe-RFuAQXUauChqVoyT7zITbpx_l9I4d9y3fMVLy0n3sVw5SJRoc_II7uBqXU-SzFM3JaTK6_kNmWDs_aEyfCQVLoWqqw15NsYjbFSXvak0yfuKrH76x8%3D
5. https://www.npr.org/2021/06/10/1004859458/what-causes-the-northern-lights-scientists-finally-know-for-sure
6. https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/polar/telecons/archive/PR_E-PO/Aurora_flyer/aurora-flyer_p2.doc.pdf
7. https://www.acs.org/pressroom/reactions/library/what-causes-the-northern-lights-and-where-you-should-see-them.html
8. https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/images/u2/Aurora.pdf
   
   

We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!

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