Tahu-nui-a-Rangi (Translates, 'Great Glowing of the Sky') One of several local Maori words to describe the visual spectacle that is 'The Southern Lights'.

The electrons that create auroras start in the outer layers of the field, where it is compressed by the solar wind. They accelerate along the field lines, converging toward the magnetic poles from all directions. This results in an oval ring around each magnetic pole where auroras occur. The north pole aurora is called the aurora borealis and the aurora at the south pole is called the aurora australis. Depending on the level of recent solar activity, there may or may not be visible auroral activity all the way around the ring.

Posted: 7:56:51 AM  
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