A recent social media post on Reddit has generated amusement and disbelief among netizens. The post featured an image claiming to show the northern lights in the sky over Kerala, a region in Southern India. However, the image was later revealed to be edited, with lines scribbled across the sky. This unusual sight sparked a flurry of humorous comments, with many users comparing the image to visual effects from movies and questioning its authenticity.
While auroras, also known as aurora borealis or aurora australis, are a common sight in countries located near the Earth’s poles, they are extremely rare in the southern part of India. The image, therefore, raised doubts about its genuineness.
Some users pointed out the scientific inaccuracies of the image, highlighting that auroras are caused by charged particles colliding with atoms in the Earth’s magnetosphere, resulting in the emission of vibrant colors. This process typically occurs near the poles, making it highly improbable to witness auroras in regions like Kerala.
Despite the humor surrounding the edited image, it serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty of auroras, which are commonly experienced in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Slovenia, and Britain. These countries are located near the Earth’s poles, where auroras are a regular sight.
One of the most powerful solar storms recently struck the Earth, leading to spectacular aurora displays across various parts of Europe on Friday, May 10. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Centre reported that the storm resulted in several coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun. These CMEs interacted with the Earth’s magnetosphere, triggering the formation of vibrant auroras.
While the edited image from Kerala may have evoked amusement and skepticism, it underscores the fascination and wonder that auroras continue to inspire. These natural light displays, with their captivating colors and ethereal beauty, remain a testament to the Earth’s dynamic relationship with the Sun and the vastness of the cosmos.
