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The Warm Northern Lights Hat
A little bit about the Northern Lights in Iceland...
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, in Iceland are a spectacular natural phenomenon caused by the interaction between solar wind particles and Earth's magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, they emit vivid light, often appearing as waves of green, purple, pink, or red across the sky, depending on the height of the auroras depend of what colours show. Iceland, situated near the Arctic Circle, offers ideal conditions for viewing the lights during winter months (September to April), with its long, dark nights and low levels of light pollution. The lights are most visible during periods of high solar activity, providing an otherworldly display in Iceland's clear, cold skies.
The bright colours...
Green (most common)
Cause: Excitation of oxygen atoms. Altitude: Between 100 km to 250 km (around 60 to 155 miles).
Explanation: Oxygen atoms at these altitudes emit green light when excited by solar particles. The green color is the most frequently seen because the conditions for this reaction are the most favorable.
Red
Cause: Excitation of oxygen atoms. Altitude: Above 250 km (above 155 miles).
Explanation: At higher altitudes, oxygen atoms emit red light. This color is rarer because these higher altitudes are less frequently populated by enough excited particles to produce the red emission.
Blue or Violet
Cause: Excitation of nitrogen molecules. Altitude: Below 100 km (below 60 miles).
Explanation: Nitrogen, which dominates in the lower parts of the aurora, emits blue and violet colors when solar wind particles collide with it. Blue is less common because it's harder to see against the night sky and occurs at lower altitudes where there is less auroral activity.
Pink or Purple
Cause: A mix of oxygen and nitrogen emissions. Altitude: Typically occurs in overlapping regions, usually around 100 km or lower.
Explanation: This color is a blend of red (from high-altitude oxygen) and blue/violet (from low-altitude nitrogen).
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