The curious photo showed a different aurora borealis, in a Christmas tree format, just a few days before the “magical” holiday
A NASA revealed, this Monday, 23, a stunning image as part of its daily series “Astronomy Picture of the Day”. The photograph shows an aurora borealis recorded in Djúpivogur, Iceland, last December.
The author of the capture, Jingyi Zhangmanaged to immortalize the phenomenon that surprised by its resemblance to a Christmas tree, in addition to displaying vibrant tones of green, blue and purple that illuminated the dark sky.
According to experts, the aurora borealis occurs due to the interaction of solar wind particles with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. During the process, electrons from the Sun collide with molecules and atoms in the atmosphere, raising them to higher energy levels.
When they return to their original state, these particles emit light, generating the visible spectacle.
Solar maximum
This type of phenomenon is more common in periods of intense solar activity, like the one we are currently experiencing. The Sun is in a phase known as solar maximum, part of its 11-year cycle, characterized by a high number of sunspots and active regions.
This phase is often associated with solar flares that intensify auroras around the globe.
Source: Maxima
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