When high-energy charged particles ejected from the sun reach Earth's magnetic field, are guided towards the poles, and collide with atoms in the upper atmosphere, one of Earth's most magnificent natural light shows—the aurora—is born. Different gaseous components (such as oxygen and nitrogen), when excited, release light of specific wavelengths. Oxygen atoms primarily produce green and red light, while nitrogen molecules contribute blue and violet light. Essentially, this is a giant "fluorescent" phenomenon occurring hundreds of kilometers above the Earth. Understanding the aurora is understanding the epic energy transformation between the particle stream from the sun, Earth's magnetic field, and the thin atmosphere. Our interactive "Aurora" exhibit brings this cosmic drama from the poles to your doorstep within a 1.5-meter-high vacuum-sealed acrylic tube. Using safe and controlled high-voltage discharge technology, we simulate the process of particles exciting gases inside the tube.
