So, I'm still convinced that some of these photos of auroras are Photoshopped, but nature can do some very clever things. And, nerdy as it may be, I think these photos are pretty amazing.
Here's the nature lesson; auroras occur when "solar particles are thrown into space and travel for about two to three
days at a rate of 300 to 1000 kilometres per second and then reach
earth’s outer magnetic field. At this point, the clouds of particles
are pulled towards the northern and southern magnetic poles. As they
are being pulled towards the poles they are stopped by our atmosphere
colliding with other present particles."
Sure. And that's what makes all the pretty colours.
Picture and information from
colorlovers.com.