Transcript Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

Northern Lights
(Aurora Borealis)
Katie, Rosie, Matt
Radiation
Forms of radiation that are
reduced by the atmosphere:
• Ultraviolet
• Cosmic Rays
Cosmic Rays
Cosmic Rays are a form of radiation and come
from some of the most violent objects in the
universe:
• Supernova
• Neutron
• Star
• Black hole
These rays were first discovered by Victor
Hess in 1912 by flying hot air balloons to
altitudes of 5km he found the air was much
more ionised higher in the atmosphere.
Solar Wind
The Earth’s magnetic field can
also protect us from radiation
from space. Streams of
charged particles evaporate
from the surface of the sun in
all directions, this is called
solar wind.
Protection from Solar wind
The solar winds head towards earth at
around 400km/second. It would erode
the atmosphere but the earths
magnetic field deflects most of the
Solar wind away from the planet.
What are the Northern Lights?
Some solar wind is channelled to
the north and south poles, where
they ionise the air and create the
northern and southern lights.
Deflecting alpha and beta
particles.
Beams of alpha and beta particles can be
deflected because they have opposite
charges, so they deflect in opposite
directions. Alpha particles have twice the
charge of beta particles.
Gamma Rays
Gamma rays will not be
deflected as they have no
mass.
Mars
Mars has a very thin
magnetic field, making it
very hard to live on.