Neon lights are glass tubes that contain neon or other gases. When an electric current is sent from one end to the other, the flowing electrons collide with electrons in the neon, causing them to collide to higher energy levels. When those electrons cool down and return to the ground state, they emit light. Color depends on specific changes in energy, which means that different gases, such as argon, xenon or mercury, produce different colors.
As for the northern lights, it’s not neon but gases in the atmosphere. Oxygen emits green light at lower altitudes and red light at higher altitudes. Nitrogen produces blue or violet light. The yellow and pink colors result from mixing of gases and usually occur only in the heaviest solar storms. These gases are excited by a combination of high-energy charges coming from the Sun and Earth’s own fluctuating magnetic field, which gives these particles an extra boost, leading to more energetic collisions.
Wait, so now the Earth’s magnetic field is also changing? Yes, and this is due to the solar wind. Just as moving charges experience a force in a magnetic field, they also create their own magnetic field. When a flood of charged particles rains down on us, the Earth’s field bends and distorts. This causes it to spin around and leads to those impressive light shows in the sky.
Another fun fact: the aurora exists even during the day, you just can’t see it.
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Unfortunately, space weather isn’t just pretty light. To any humans in space, such as in the International Space Station, or even in high-altitude aircraft, these fast-moving charged particles are an unwanted blast of radiation. In this case, it will mostly be beta radiation, but it is possible to find some alpha particles as well. (Here’s your radiation refresher.)
It’s hard even on satellites. Charge buildup can damage electrical components that are necessary for the satellite to do its job (whatever it is). Furthermore, as the Earth absorbs more solar energy, the atmosphere warms, causing it to expand. This increases the drag on spacecraft in low Earth orbit, slowing them down. Bottom line: Satellites can deviate from their course or fall from the sky.