Author(s)

Weihong Qian^1,2*

¹Guangzhou Institute of Tropical and Marine Meteorology, CMA, Guangzhou, China.
²School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China.

What mechanism causes the symmetrical distribution of two oval-ring auroras approximately around the geomagnetic poles but uneven brightness distribution of them? To answer this question, we firstly describe the charged particles like electrons or protons emitted from the Sun and the magnetic ions formed in the Earth’s atmosphere. Then, the interaction dynamics of two-type particles between electron and ion is given under the non-relativistic limit. Finally, under the relativistic frame, auroras deduced are higher energy density formed by the orthogonal interaction of solar charged particles and geomagnetic ions in the narrow regions centered on the upper geomagnetic poles. The physical nature of ideal oval-ring auroras with uneven brightness distribution is an optical phenomenon that occurs when solar charged particles collide orthogonally with ions and the magnetic axis inclines to the solar radiation. For actual aurora distribution, the impact of multiple factors is discussed. Therefore, the aurora is a natural illustration of an orthogonal collider in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

Aurora, Electron, Ion, Orthogonal Collision, Space Weather

Qian, W. (2023) A Physical Explanation for the Formation of Auroras. Journal of Modern Physics, 14, 271-286. doi: 10.4236/jmp.2023.143018.