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Auroras are luminous, deeply mysterious curtains of light that
often grace dark skies near the North and South poles. They
occur when a space weather event energizes the magnetic force
field shielding our planet, churning up electrons and protons
and causing them to smash into the mix of gases in the upper
atmosphere. The result is a bright glow that can last anywhere
from a few seconds to a few hours. During a magnetic field
reversal, which can take hundreds or thousands of years to
complete, these dazzling natural light shows would be visible
every night of the year.
If you've ever wondered why auroras only occur near the
magnetic north and south poles, why they appear in different
colors and shapes, and whether or not they happen on other
planets, click on the slide show at left and find answers to
these and other questions as you view a stunning collection of
auroral displays. — Lexi Krock
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