Northern Lights (Nature in Action)

Discusses the origins, characteristics, and lore of the Northern and Southern Lights known as auroras.

For centuries, humanity's fascination with northern lights has generated myths and superstitious awe. The aurora's physics, too, is awesome: high energy particles streaming from the sun are captured and focused by Earth's magnetic field to collide with and excite gas molecules; as they return to a stable energy state, photons are emitted, creating colorful visible light. Souza's lucid explanation of the phenomenon is generously illustrated with clear diagrams, maps, and superb color photos. Except during solar flares and unusual solar activity, only Americans in the northern states can experience the aurora directly; this book may inspire a special trip. A beautifully presented example of a relatively narrow slice of science that nicely illuminates wider topics. Glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 10+) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.