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
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A wild and scenic scene
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National Merry-Go-Round Day
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National Museum of African American History and Culture
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Busy building wetlands
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Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
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Dark Sky Week
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National Mountain Climbing Day
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Cherry blossoms at the National Mall, Washington, DC
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Do spirits haunt the Gardens of Versailles?
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It’s Art Deco Weekend in Miami
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St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland
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Who s there? The largest owl in the world
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The Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland
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Celebrating whales—and a whale of a tale
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Te Rewa Rewa Bridge near New Plymouth, New Zealand
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A holiday beacon of light
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It s Independence Day in Mexico
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Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, Canada
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All is silent for Big Ben’s musical milestone
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Why you should thank a nurse today
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2022 Winter Paralympics
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Combating extinction with citizen science
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Penn Station
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In search of a ‘great’ pumpkin
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The 80th anniversary of D-Day
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Get the bear facts
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Harvest season begins
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Unbearable cuteness
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Giving Tuesday
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A willowy welcome to spring