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COLORS OF AURORA Solar wind (which contains charged particles) interacts with earth's magnetic field. This interaction traps charged particles at north and south pole. The charged particles react with gasses in the atmosphere and produce excited and ionized gasses. The color of light emitted during the rection depends on type of gas involved. Above 150 miles or 241.4 km Excited atomic oxygen at high altitudes Only visible under intense solar activity due to low concentration of oxygen at high altitudes. Up to 150 miles or 241.4 km Excited atomic oxygen at lower altitudes Green light is emitted instead of red due to higher concentration of oxygen. Above 60 miles or 96.6 km (purple) Up to 60 miles or 96.6 km (blue) lonized molecular nitrogen The reaction involve molecular nirogen because atomic oxygen is uncommon at low altitudes. Similar to red, blue and purple is associated with intense solar activity. Source: Canadian Space Agency. (2014, April 29). The colours of the Northern Lights. Aurora Zone. (n.d.). Why are the Northern Lights sometimes coloured differently? Space.com. (2017, October 11). Northern Lights: What Causes the Aurora Borealis & Where to See It. Northern Lights Centre, Canada. (n.d.). Northern Lights. Made by alienyrox.