Why in News
Recent sightings of auroras in Ladakh have drawn attention, particularly a notable event on October 10-11.
The appearances were predicted by astrophysicists 48-72 hours in advance, showcasing advancements in space weather monitoring.
Aurora
Auroras are luminous phenomena that occur near the North (Aurora Borealis) and South Poles (Aurora Australis).
They are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the Sun with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
Auroras consist of gases and particles, including oxygen and nitrogen.
The collisions of these particles with the atmosphere release energy in the form of light.
The colors observed in auroras depend on the type of gas and altitude of the collisions.
Geomagnetic storms, triggered by solar events like coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares, enhance auroral activity.
CMEs are eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun, while solar flares are bursts of energy.
CMEs often occur alongside solar flares, which are explosions on the Sun's surface, but they are also known to occur independently.
Strong solar storms result in increased solar activity, leading to more pronounced auroral displays.
The number of charged particles reaching the Earth's atmosphere during these storms intensifies the auroras.
The strength of the solar storm and the alignment of the Earth's magnetic field affect the visibility and vibrancy of the auroras.
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