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Why does this aurora have vivid pink colors?

Auroras are caused by emissions from O atoms and N2 molecules. Solar-origin electrons cause the energy states of O and N2 to rise which result in photon emissions at specific wavelengths.

O atoms below 200 km emit in the familiar green color. O atoms above 200 km emit in red. N2 near 200 km emits in blue, N2 below 100 km emits in reds and blues that mix to produce pink.

Intense solar storms like this one cause lower altitude N2 emissions.

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