Imagine witnessing breathtaking lights dancing across the night sky in Rovaniemi as you look up? That is what the Northern Lights in Lapland are all about!
Recently, Finnish scientists made a fantastic discovery about Aurora Borealis. They have found a new kind of Northern Lights in Lapland, that is caused by heavy particles – protons, not the electrons.
Initially, the scientists spotted bright Northern Lights in Lapland alongside a red arc in the sky. They thought it is well-known stable aurora red (SAR) arc that had been observed over 50 years. However, after investigations, the groundbreaking revelation emerged – red arc and the green-white color is caused by a different phenomenon.
Traditionally, we believed that electrons from the solar wind are responsible for creating the Northern Lights. However, this discovery have shattered those assumptions. The newly found Northern Lights are now named – Red Arc with Green Diffuse Aurora (RAGDA).
As Earth´s magnetic field interacts with these protons, they paint the night sky with unique display of colors, setting them apart from traditional Northern Lights. The blend of the arc and green-white formations creates a beautiful spectacle that has never been observed.
This new revelation marks an extraordinary milestone in our understanding of the Northern Lights. This not only sheds new light on the wonders of our universe, but also emphasizes the need to protect our night skies for generations to come. As we continue to explore the cosmos, the magic of the Northern Lights will forever remind us that there are so many things we still don´t know about the universe.