Auroras form when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field, creating stunning displays. 'Polar rain auroras' are rare, caused by electrons directly from the Sun crashing into the atmosphere, hindered by other particles.
In December 2022, a decreased solar wind allowed unimpeded 'polar rain electrons' to generate a greenish glow spanning over 3,000 kilometers across the North Pole, a rare phenomenon observed by scientists and enthusiasts.
This unique auroral event, diffused across the sky, differs from the typical curtains and pillars of light seen in standard auroras. The discovery was reported by Keisuke Hosokawa and the team in Science Advances.
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