What Kind of Light Does the Aurora Emit?

The Aurora

Page 24
Auroral light occurs when high-speed discharge electrons collide with atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere. Different kinds of atoms and molecules produce different colors of lights. The common greenish white light in an auroral display is produced by collisions with atomic oxygen. The beautiful pinkish light is emitted by molecular nitrogen.
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Greenish-white light from atomic oxygen		 l8.jpg (18009 bytes)
Pinkish light from molecular nitrogen at the bottom of an auroral curtain

 

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