The mechanics of the northern lights are still not fully understood, as there are multiple influences and atmospheric conditions that create these photogenic ripples of colored light in the sky. Scientists agree that solar winds—big pulses of energy from our sun—interfere with the Earth’s magnetic fields, especially at the polar regions. The result is a ghostly light show in the sky—like the one in our photo today, captured in Norway.
When science looks like magic
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Paro Tsechu Festival in Bhutan
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Nesting season for the leatherbacks
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Whoopin it up!
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International Beaver Day
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Isla del Pescado on the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia
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Dragon dance performed in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China
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Assembling the Smithsonian
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Llama Day
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International Day of Forests
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Venice by night
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Snow buntings take flight
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Summer solstice
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The mighty, mighty mushroom
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Virgin Islands National Park established
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A day to celebrate teachers
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World Laughter Day
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Manatee Awareness Month
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Celebrating Madagascar on its Independence Day
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Happy Fathers Day!
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Reflecting on one of the world s strangest rivers
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Siblings Day
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Let the Highland games begin
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Can you see the family resemblance?
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International Polar Bear Day
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National Cherry Blossom Festival
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Life in the slow lane
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Château de Villandry, France
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Bavljenac Island
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In praise of the pipes
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A storied trail marks a century