click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Atmospheric Oddities
Northern lights, Rainbows, and halos.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Auroras: | Are beautiful shows of lights caused by the sun's energy and particles interacting with Earth's atmospheric gases. |
| The Ionosphere: | Is an upper level atmosphere (covering the thermo, meso, and strator) where extreme UV and x-ray solar radiation ionizes atoms and molecules, creating an electrified and highly active zone. |
| Ion: | Is an atom / molecule with a net charge, formed when an atom gains or loses electrons. |
| Magnetic Poles: | Are the regions each at the end of a magnet, where the external magnetic field is the strongest. |
| Sunspots: | Are dark spots on the sun that are cooler than its surrounding area. |