What causes the northern lights to crackle?

Answer 1

To understand the crackling, we must first consider the sun, which has different cycles of activity, lasting years at a time.

The sun gives out "ions", or charged energy particles,
which are referred to as a plasma. This "river" of particles given off by the sun is called the "Solar Wind." The magnetic fields of the earth trap these particles and push them down into the earth's atmosphere, where the ionic gases of the ionosphere react with the particles to make the colorful "Aurora". The observers of the aurora have reported different colors, but for the most part, it follows the colors of the visual magnetic spectrum of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.

As for the crackling sound, that is debated by scientists. Some believe the crackling "static electricity" sounds may be the result of the strong electric and magnetic fields. Others believe the crackling itself exists because the optic nerve may be interpreting sounds. (There have been experiments in blindfolding people and recording their perception of crackling while observing the northern lights.) Others believe that when the sun is at a high activity cycle, the crackling would be heard, but when the sun is low in its activity, the crackling would not be heard.
Others believe that power lines and radio equipment may be responsible for the crackling sounds, which means that the aurora itself does not crackle at all.

You may want to look up "Space Weather," which is
the field that covers many of these theories.

Research in this area is continuous- right now we are at a low level of activity from the sun, but in the years to come, the levels will increase.

Good luck and remember to put on your sunscreen every day...

Jana

Answer 2

You may be confusing northern lights with Saint Elmo's fire, the latter of which is a natural atmospheric corona discharge sometime seen on ship masts. It crackles because its breaking down the air, which produces pressure waves (an acoustic disturbance).

Answer 3

The northern lights do not crackle.

Answer 4

None that I ever heard. They do reason some noises on a radio. often once you have been between commonly used stations. We lived in Fairbanks, AK for 3 years. throughout that factor I truthfully have been outdoors with the lighting fixtures fixtures 75 - a hundred circumstances. throughout iciness it is an almost nightly journey. It beats something you will see in Las Vegas.

Answer 5

I've heard rumors about people hearing the aurora, but according to what we know about it it should make no sound.

I'd be very interested to know more details if you have actually heard some sort of sound that seems to come from the northern lights. Please tell more!

Answer 6

Um.... They don't.