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Why does the aurora borealis appear to be white in the sky but in pictures it has nice coloration? (self.asklemmy)

submitted 6 months ago by andrewta to c/[email protected]

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[–] victorz 10 points 6 months ago (3 children)

In my experience the aurora borealis is always green. I live in the north of Sweden.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)

It depends on which part of the atmosphere reacts. Pink/purple/red is also possible.

[–] victorz 1 points 6 months ago

Never in my life have I seen that where I live, but I have seen that in footage from other parts of the world, yes.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago (2 children)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtIJG40WKT4

The red parts are rarer and harder to see. Especially with the naked eye.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

The red parts are rarer and harder to see. Especially with the naked eye.

The red parts were very visible last night, and I found their colour much easier to see with the naked eye than the green parts ever are.

[–] victorz 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

At which latitude are you situated?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

59°N, northern Scotland.

[–] victorz 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Thank you! What's it like normally where you live? What colors are the Arora normally?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

I would usually describe it as grey. There have been a few times where a sunset or the moon have provided some contrast, causing the greenness to become slightly noticeable. Last night was the first time I've seen such an obvious pink.

Sadly it doesn't get dark enough here at this time of year, so my family down south had a better view.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

https://www.piped.video/watch?v=VtIJG40WKT4

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.