Scientists Reveal Surprising Discoveries About the Northern Lights’ Mysterious White Patch

A breakthrough by researchers in Calgary enhances the comprehension of a previously unresolved white patch that sometimes appears with the northern lights.

The aurora borealis results from energized protons and electrons—sub-atomic particles comprising atoms—emanating from the sun, colliding with the atmosphere, and producing colors during the impact.

“Typically, a vibrant green line is produced by atomic oxygen, while a bright red line originates from atomic oxygen, alongside some purple from nitrogen,” stated Eric Donovan, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Calgary and author of the research published on Dec. 30 in Nature Communication.

“However, what you are witnessing now is the atmosphere glowing across all wavelengths, and that is the white.”

The white patch is identified as a “heat source,” indicating that the aurora borealis is “more intricate than previously perceived.”

Donovan noted that the white light—termed “structured continuum emission”—had been referenced in research publications during the 1960s and 1970s but was largely “overlooked” and relatively unknown to scientists.

The identification of the heat source became feasible once the research team utilized a novel array of scientific-grade cameras equipped with a detector capable of capturing “magazine quality” images, Donovan explained in an interview with Nunatsiaq News.

Now that the team has uncovered these fresh clues regarding the energy deposition in the atmosphere, Donovan emphasized there remain many more discoveries to be made.

“We don’t entirely comprehend it at the moment, but we are aware that phenomena are functioning differently than what we previously understood,” he remarked.

Donovan mentioned that while the team could be the inaugural scientists to unveil this novel information and disseminate a scientific statement, the term “discovery” should be viewed with caution.

“There are individuals who have experienced the aurora far more than I have; they may observe this and say, ‘I’ve seen that.’”