Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are the results of electrons colliding with the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere. 

This gorgeous light show was captured by Adam Kraszewski in Ava NY on September 1 around 10:30 pm. Adam says you can see these anytime of the year if the conditions are favorable. The spring and fall equinox increase the chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

 Either a coronal mass ejection (CME) causes Aurora Borealis or a high-speed solar wind stream from the sun. CME is a giant cloud of solar plasma drenched with magnetic field lines that are blown away from the Sun during strong, long-duration solar flares and filament eruptions.  They can last anywhere from minutes to hours depending on how large or small a CME is or fast or slow the solar wind is coming from a coronal hole in the sun.

NOAA describes Aurora shapes: 'Aurora comes in several different shapes. Often the auroral forms are made of many tall rays that look much like a curtain made of folds of cloth. During the evening, these rays can form arcs that stretch from horizon to horizon. Late in the evening, near midnight, the arcs often begin to twist and sway, just as if a wind were blowing on the curtains of light. At some point, the arcs may expand to fill the whole sky, moving rapidly and becoming very bright. This is the peak of what is called an auroral substorm.'


NEXT: The Best Of CNY Via 'Purple' Photos

More From Big Frog 104