<p>Is there any scientific explanation that causes polar lights (aurora borealis/australis) to have their unique shapes?</p>

<p>Specifically:</p>

<ol>
<li>Rayed Arcs</li>
<li>Dual Bands</li>
<li>Corona</li>
</ol>

<p>(Images on NASA Pdf)</p>

<p>This site (by NASA) proposes:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The different shapes of auroras are a mystery that scientists are still trying to 
  unravel. The shape seems to depend on where in the magnetosphere the electrons 
  originate, what causes them to gain their energy, and why they dive into the 
  atmosphere.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(Subsection: Why do auroras come in different colors and shapes?)</p>

<p>I am specifically asking if there are any scientific observations (formulas or even simulations) that could describe such patterns (or even similar observations from fluid or gas dynamics). Furthermore, if it forms a rippled ring for instance, there should be a wave-like function, right?</p>

<p>Afterall, they could also be in a straight line..</p>

<p><a href="https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/polar/EPO/auroral_poster/aurora_all.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Aurora - NASA Pdf</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-03T16:20:11.100Z
Can you add links please? Specifically to the images and 'this site'.
AtmosphericPrisonEscape
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-03T16:47:35.403Z
Oops, my bad. I wanted to add it but forgot. Editing.
Murad Babayev
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-04T13:52:19.637Z
Sounds like a really messy collection of nonlinear fluid flow and magnetic force-line equations.
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-04T15:17:19.810Z
But afterall it doesn't look soo messy (if you look at the rayed arcs). It almost looks like the glowlines are well alligned
Murad Babayev
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-04T16:48:22.383Z
Are there even such things as "plasma dynamics"? Overall the aurora is just of type "cold plasma".
Murad Babayev
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-30T07:40:51.277Z
If after a while there's no luck here, you could consider moving your question to [Earth Science SE](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/) instead. I'll post a link in their chat room now.
uhoh
<light><aurora><corona>
What is the science behind the polar light shapes
Murad Babayev
# What is the science behind the polar light shapes

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-01-03)

Is there any scientific explanation that causes polar lights (aurora borealis/australis) to have their unique shapes?

Specifically:

1. Rayed Arcs
2. Dual Bands
3. Corona

(Images on NASA Pdf)

This site (by NASA) proposes:

> The different shapes of auroras are a mystery that scientists are still trying to
> unravel. The shape seems to depend on where in the magnetosphere the electrons
> originate, what causes them to gain their energy, and why they dive into the
> atmosphere.

(Subsection: Why do auroras come in different colors and shapes?)

I am specifically asking if there are any scientific observations (formulas or even simulations) that could describe such patterns (or even similar observations from fluid or gas dynamics). Furthermore, if it forms a rippled ring for instance, there should be a wave-like function, right?

Afterall, they could also be in a straight line..

[Aurora - NASA Pdf](https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/polar/EPO/auroral_poster/aurora_all.pdf)

**Tags:** light, aurora, corona

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Can you add links please? Specifically to the images and 'this site'.  
> **username_0**: Oops, my bad. I wanted to add it but forgot. Editing.  
> **username_2**: Sounds like a really messy collection of nonlinear fluid flow and magnetic force-line equations.  
> **username_0**: But afterall it doesn't look soo messy (if you look at the rayed arcs). It almost looks like the glowlines are well alligned  
> **username_0**: Are there even such things as "plasma dynamics"? Overall the aurora is just of type "cold plasma".  
> **username_3**: If after a while there's no luck here, you could consider moving your question to [Earth Science SE](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/) instead. I'll post a link in their chat room now.  

---

## 0 answers

