The northern lights represent one of the most spectacular sights in the night sky. This quiz explores the science and culture surrounding this beautiful phenomenon.
You will see questions about the gases that create different auroral colors, the impact of solar cycles, and historical solar storms. It also touches on indigenous folklore and prime viewing locations.
Once you finish, why not explore our quizzes on natural wonders, look through mountain landscapes, or discover odd facts in travel curiosities?
Which region of the world is best known for frequent displays of the aurora borealis?
The Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle
The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest
The Equator
The Equator
The Sahara Desert
The Sahara Desert
What is the most commonly observed color in an aurora display?
Green
Green
Magenta
Magenta
Orange
Orange
Yellow
Yellow
What is the primary scientific cause of the aurora borealis?
Reflection of ocean light on ice caps
Reflection of ocean light on ice caps
Light pollution from urban areas
Light pollution from urban areas
Volcanic gases reacting with oxygen
Volcanic gases reacting with oxygen
Solar winds interaction with the atmosphere
Solar winds interaction with the atmosphere
Which country offers world-famous viewing opportunities for the northern lights due to its high-latitude location?
India
India
Norway
Norway
Australia
Australia
Brazil
Brazil
The intensity and frequency of auroral displays are heavily influenced by the 11-year duration of what phenomenon?
Solar cycles
Solar cycles
Atmospheric pressure changes
Atmospheric pressure changes
Lunar eclipses
Lunar eclipses
Tidal shifts
Tidal shifts
The most common green color of the aurora is produced when energetic particles strike which gas in the upper atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Helium
Helium
Magnesium
Magnesium
Oxygen
Oxygen
What is the term for the explosion of solar material that frequently triggers intense auroral activity when it reaches Earth?
St Elmo’s Fire
St Elmo’s Fire
Cosmic Ray Burst
Cosmic Ray Burst
Coronal Mass Ejection
Coronal Mass Ejection
Solar Flare
Solar Flare
In Norse mythology, the aurora borealis was often believed to be the reflection of light from which of the following?
The scales of the Midgard Serpent
The scales of the Midgard Serpent
The wings of giant eagles
The wings of giant eagles
The golden gates of Valhalla
The golden gates of Valhalla
The armor and shields of the Valkyries
The armor and shields of the Valkyries
At approximately what altitude above the Earth do most auroras occur?
550 kilometers
550 kilometers
250 kilometers
250 kilometers
100 kilometers
100 kilometers
400 kilometers
400 kilometers
Which planetary structure acts as a funnel, directing solar particles toward the Earth’s polar regions?
Ozone Layer
Ozone Layer
Magnetosphere
Magnetosphere
Mesosphere
Mesosphere
Troposphere
Troposphere
What gas is responsible for producing the rare deep red and purple fringes at the very bottom of an aurora display?
Neon
Neon
Krypton
Krypton
Nitrogen
Nitrogen
Argon
Argon
Which Latin term is added to the word ‘aurora’ to designate the southern lights?
Polaris
Polaris
Solaris
Solaris
Borealis
Borealis
Australis
Australis
What measurement scale is used to indicate the intensity of magnetic activity in the Earth’s magnetosphere?
Richter scale
Richter scale
Beaufort scale
Beaufort scale
Celsius scale
Celsius scale
Kp index
Kp index
Which North American city is considered a prime destination for aurora hunters due to its location under the ‘auroral oval’?
London, United Kingdom
London, United Kingdom
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo, Egypt
During which phase of the solar cycle is the frequency of auroral displays at its highest?
Solar perigee
Solar perigee
Solar zenith
Solar zenith
Solar eclipse
Solar eclipse
Solar maximum
Solar maximum
What do the indigenous Sami people traditionally believe the northern lights represent?
The spirits of the dead
The spirits of the dead
A bridge of fire to the realm of gods
A bridge of fire to the realm of gods
The reflection of warriors’ shields
The reflection of warriors’ shields
Sparking embers from a fire fox
Sparking embers from a fire fox
Without which component would the auroras fail to concentrate at the North and South poles?
Ocean currents
Ocean currents
Global carbon levels
Global carbon levels
Earth’s rotation speed
Earth’s rotation speed
Earth’s magnetic field
Earth’s magnetic field
Which historical solar storm was so powerful it caused auroras to be seen as far south as the Caribbean?
1872 Solar Storm
1872 Solar Storm
1859 Carrington Event
1859 Carrington Event
1989 Quebec Storm
1989 Quebec Storm
1921 Railroad Storm
1921 Railroad Storm
Which national park in Sweden is globally renowned for its ‘blue hole’ microclimate, which provides clear skies for viewing the lights?
Sarek National Park
Sarek National Park
Muddus National Park
Muddus National Park
Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park
Padjelanta National Park
Padjelanta National Park
What unusual characteristic have some observers reported experiencing during exceptionally strong auroral displays?
They emit high levels of radioactive fallout
They emit high levels of radioactive fallout
They can be heard as crackling sounds
They can be heard as crackling sounds
They produce significant heat at ground level
They produce significant heat at ground level
They are only visible during the full moon
They are only visible during the full moon
Which solar wind-magnetosphere interaction primarily drives the equatorward expansion of the auroral oval during major geomagnetic storms?
Magnetosphere compression
Magnetosphere compression
Cosmic ray interference reflection
Cosmic ray interference reflection
Atmospheric ionization density shift
Atmospheric ionization density shift
Magnetic reconnection
Magnetic reconnection
Roughly how long is one solar activity (sunspot) cycle from peak to peak?
11 years
11 years
17 years
17 years
8 years
8 years
14 years
14 years
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