https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3243916/Can-...
Based on the wikipedia aurora article it sounds like the lower atmosphere has a more mixed bag of gasses, so it glows white, while in the upper atmosphere atomic oxygen(note that oxygen lower down is all diatomic and glows green) is able to showcase it's characteristic red glow.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora#Colours_and_wavelengths...
But now I am wondering about the green(oxygen?) and yellow(sodium?) atmospheric bands visable. The green one is interesting because it may tear apart my atomic oxygen theory. why would a green diatomic band be above the red atomic sprite flare?
Same with sailors, who've been repairing rogue waves for centuries, but it wasn't until it was recorded scientifically on an oil rig that scientists took it seriously.
Still an awesome picture.
Pretty well understood today. Dunno, why "OMG, they would have never known this back in 123, if not for this one trick!", is relevant. That is true for everything. If you are writing a popular science novel, maybe people will care that someone once upon a time wouldn't have known this, but now we do!
From your link.
My point is that discounting historical accounts with a link to current information is neither particularly useful nor interesting.
IMO it is much more interesting to understand how our understanding has changed over time.
Also, I didn't edit the main premise of the comment, as it still contains the phrase "Pretty well understood today", unedited, but whatever.
ericwood•2h ago
diggernet•1h ago
This one is better:
https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2025/07/Nichole-Ayers-S...
the_arun•1h ago
jgord•52m ago