Aurora Alaska Northern Light Photography

~ NORTHERN LIGHTS of ALASKA ~

When Solar Winds Hit the Earth's Magnetosphere...

Auroras occur when charged particles from the Sun strike atoms in the Earth's atmosphere. The intensity of Auroral displays on Earth are directly tied to the Sun's activity, which follows an 11 year high-low cycle. Solar activity should increase in 2010, with a peak expected to occur in 2012.

Green is the most common color for the auroras. During periods of intense solar flares, the auroras display shades of red, yellow or purple.

Auroras that occur in the northern hemisphere are called Aurora Borealis, while those over the south pole are called Aurora Australis.

Aurora Borealis

These amazing displays of lights in the northern skies have intrigued anybody who have been lucky enough to witness their spectacle. The lights slowly move accross the sky and change shapes. Since the old times, the northern lights were named after the Roman Goddess of dawn, Aurora. In other cultures, Eskimo legends depict the auroras as spiritual manifestations.
Pictures of these Auroras were taken in Fairbanks and Valdez, Alaska.