Time-Lapse Auroras Over Norway Credit & Copyright: Terje Sørgjerd;
Music: Gladiator Soundtrack: Now we are Free
Explanation: Sometimes, after your eyes adapt to the dark, a spectacular
sky appears. Such was the case in 2011 March when one of the
largest auroral displays in recent years appeared over northern locations like the border between Norway and Russia. Pictured in the
above time-lapse movie, auroras flow over snow covered landscapes, trees, clouds, mountains and lakes found near
Kirkenes,
Norway. Many times the auroras are green, as high energy particles strike the
Earth's atmosphere, causing the air to glow as electrons resettle into their
oxygen hosts. Other
colors are occasionally noticeable as atmospheric nitrogen also becomes affected. In later sequences the Moon and rising stars are also visible. With the
Sun currently hovering near its time of maximum activity, there may be many
opportunities to see similarly
spectacular auroras personally, even from areas much
closer to the equator.
