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Origin of the Polar Aurora
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The aurora is a glow observed
in the night sky usually in the polar zone. It is also known as "northern
lights" or "aurora borealis," Latin for "northern
dawn" since (in Europe especially) it often appears as a reddish
glow on the northern horizon, as if the sun were rising from an unusual
direction. Aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October
and March to April. Its southern counterpart "aurora australis," has
similar properties, so scientists prefer "polar aurora" (or "aurora
polaris").
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