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Astronomy/the aurora borealis/northern lights

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Expert: - 2/26/2008


Question
What causes the colors of the northern lights and why does it happen?

Answer
Elizabeth,

The colors are caused by electrons interacting with various molecules in the upper atmosphere, mostly nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen.  The altitude at which these atospheric chemicals get bombarded by electrons is a factor, as well.

http://www.iit.edu/~johnsonp/smart00/lesson1.htm#colors

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=7615
78974

Keep Looking Up!
--Ed

Astronomy

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Ed

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I am not a professional astronomer by any means, but astronomy has been an interest of mine since childhood, and I am well-informed on the subject. If unable to answer someone`s question personally, I will know how to quickly find the answer online, because I keep myself informed about developments in the field and I know where to look for information.

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I worked in an observatory for awhile at one point, doing various interesting things with a computer.

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