The Northern Lights, typically seen near the North Pole in places like Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Alaska, surprisingly lit up the sky in Ladakh on April 22nd and 23rd, 2023. This rare event, captured for the first time in India, was photographed by the Indian Astronomical Observatory above Mount Saraswati. Operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), the observatory sits at an altitude of around 3,000 meters above sea level. It's highly unusual to witness the Northern Lights at such a low altitude.
The display in Ladakh was caused by a powerful geomagnetic storm affecting the Earth's magnetic field. This storm led to a collision between charged particles from the sun and the atoms and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere, resulting in the extraordinary sight of the Northern Lights in Leh, Ladakh. The last occurrence of the Northern Lights in Ladakh was in 2015, also triggered by a high-intensity geomagnetic storm.
What causes auroras or polar lights?
Auroras, or polar lights, are a natural light display that happens in the polar regions. They are caused by particles from the sun entering the Earth's atmosphere and colliding with gas particles, like oxygen and nitrogen. This collision produces the stunning display of lights known as the Northern Lights in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Lights in the Southern Hemisphere.
When particles from the sun collide with gas particles in the Earth's atmosphere, they release energy in the form of light, creating auroras or polar lights. The various colors of the aurora are the result of different gases being involved. For instance, green auroras are caused by oxygen molecules, while red auroras are produced by high-altitude oxygen atoms. The specific gases and their interactions contribute to the beautiful array of colors observed in the night sky during auroras.
Northern Lights FAQs
Question: Were the Northern Lights seen in India, specifically in Ladakh?
Answer: Yes, the Northern Lights were observed in Ladakh, northern India, on April 22nd and 23rd. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru confirmed this rare event. While the Northern Lights are usually associated with regions near the North Pole, this occurrence in Ladakh was a captivating and unusual phenomenon, visible at ground level.
Question: Is it possible to see the Northern Lights in Ladakh, India?
Answer: Yes, the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, which are typically observed in Polar regions, were indeed captured in Ladakh, India, last month. The vibrant "curtains" of dazzling light are formed by billions of charged particles moving into space at ultra-high speeds. This rare event brought the spectacular display of the Northern Lights to the skies of Ladakh.
Question: In which countries can you see the Northern Lights?
Answer: The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can be observed in countries such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Canada. These regions are known for providing some of the best opportunities to witness the spectacular display of the Northern Lights.
Question: How long do the Northern Lights typically last?
Answer: The Northern Lights, or aurora, often occur for a few glorious minutes at a time. A good display may last between 15 and 30 minutes. However, if you're exceptionally lucky, it could extend to a couple of hours or even longer. It's important to note that to witness the Northern Lights, the sky needs to be dark and clear of any clouds.
