How is the Auroral Discharge Powered?

The Aurora

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The North American continent at night, seen from the DMSP satellite.  Bright auroras are seen over Canada		 Indeed, satellite images reveal that the aurora is much brighter than all the city lights in the North American continent combined. This natural generator in space powers the electrical discharge that creates the aurora. The discharge current flows along Earth’s invisible magnetic field lines from the generator to the upper atmosphere of both the northern and southern polar regions. When electrons in the discharge current collide with upper atmospheric atoms and molecules, neon sign-like light is emitted, causing auroral displays.

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Auroral discharge circuit around the earth

 

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