How epic solar winds make brilliant polar lights

Why do we see those stunning lights in the northern- and southernmost portions of the night sky? The Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis occur when high-energy particles are flung from the Sun’s corona toward the Earth and mingle with the neutral atoms in our atmosphere — ultimately emitting extraordinary light and color. Michael Molina explains every step of this dazzling phenomenon.

Lesson by Michael Molina, animation by Franco Barroeta.