northern lights (aurora borealis) katie, rosie, matt

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Northern Lights Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt Katie, Rosie, Matt

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Page 1: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

Northern LightsNorthern Lights(Aurora Borealis)(Aurora Borealis)

Katie, Rosie, MattKatie, Rosie, Matt

Page 2: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

RadiationRadiation

Forms of radiation that are Forms of radiation that are reduced by the atmosphere:reduced by the atmosphere:

• UltravioletUltraviolet

• Cosmic RaysCosmic Rays

Page 3: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

Cosmic RaysCosmic RaysCosmic Rays are a form of radiation and come Cosmic Rays are a form of radiation and come

from some of the most violent objects in the from some of the most violent objects in the universe:universe:

• SupernovaSupernova• NeutronNeutron• StarStar• Black holeBlack hole

These rays were first discovered by Victor These rays were first discovered by Victor Hess in 1912 by flying hot air balloons to Hess in 1912 by flying hot air balloons to altitudes of 5km he found the air was much altitudes of 5km he found the air was much more ionised higher in the atmosphere.more ionised higher in the atmosphere.

Page 4: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

Solar WindSolar Wind

The Earth’s magnetic field can The Earth’s magnetic field can also protect us from radiation also protect us from radiation

from space. Streams of from space. Streams of charged particles evaporate charged particles evaporate

from the surface of the sun in from the surface of the sun in all directions, this is called solar all directions, this is called solar

wind.wind.

Page 5: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

Protection from Solar windProtection from Solar wind

The solar winds head towards earth at The solar winds head towards earth at around 400km/second. It would erode around 400km/second. It would erode the atmosphere but the earths the atmosphere but the earths magnetic field deflects most of the magnetic field deflects most of the Solar wind away from the planet. Solar wind away from the planet.

Page 6: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

What are the Northern Lights?What are the Northern Lights?

Some solar wind is channelled to Some solar wind is channelled to the north and south poles, where the north and south poles, where they ionise the air and create the they ionise the air and create the

northern and southern lights.northern and southern lights.

Page 7: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

Deflecting alpha and beta Deflecting alpha and beta particles.particles.

Beams of alpha and beta particles can be Beams of alpha and beta particles can be deflected because they have opposite deflected because they have opposite

charges, so they deflect in opposite charges, so they deflect in opposite directions. Alpha particles have twice the directions. Alpha particles have twice the

charge of beta particles. charge of beta particles.

Page 8: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

Gamma RaysGamma Rays

Gamma rays will not be Gamma rays will not be deflected as they have no deflected as they have no

mass.mass.

Page 9: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Katie, Rosie, Matt

MarsMars

Mars has a very thin Mars has a very thin magnetic field, making it magnetic field, making it

very hard to live on.very hard to live on.