Courtesy of Brain Pickings, here's a 4:49 video that clearly explains how auroras (both borealis and australis) occur. I knew vaguely what was happening, but this is a clear and concise animation of the forces involved.
I really hope to see this phenomenon one day.
Cool video. The only time I saw the real thing in all its vividness was on my one Concorde flight from the UK to New York. Just stunning. Totally gawkworthy.
Posted by: Rik Elswit | Friday, September 16, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Just saw this earlier today, and meant to post it:
http://boingboing.net/2011/09/16/the-southern-lights-from-space.html/aurora
Posted by: Scott Underwood | Friday, September 16, 2011 at 04:25 PM
You and me both... perhaps a bucket list endeavor?
Posted by: Jonathan Moreno | Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 04:05 PM