The Northern Lights The Northern Lights are also known as auroras. Auroras are visible from the northern and southern reaches of the planet such as Alaska, where it is very visible. Auroras are caused when the sun gives off high energy particles (ions) that travel out to space at speeds of 300 to 1,200 kilometers per second. A cloud of these particles are also called a plasma. The stream of plasma coming from the sun is called the solar wind. The solar winds then interact with the magnetic field of the earth and some become trapped in the earth's ionosphere. When the particles collide with gases in the ionosphere, they begin to glow. That's how auroras occur. Facts: -The colors in auroras can be red, green, blue, and violet. -A solar wind generates around 1,000,000 megawatts of electricity during a single auroral display. The solar winds can cause interference with power lines, radio and television broadcasts, and satellite communications. Northern Light Photos >> Northern Lights Puzzle >> Natural Wonders >> Ancient Wonders >>