What is the difference between the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis?

  • Aurora Borealis occurs in the northern hemisphere and is best viewed from locations like Norway, Sweden, and Canada.
  • Aurora Australis occurs in the southern hemisphere and is best viewed from Antarctica and southern Australia.
  • Both phenomena occur near the Earth’s magnetic poles.
  • The underlying mechanisms of both are the same—interaction of solar wind with the Earth’s magnetosphere.
  • Differences in visibility are mainly due to population distribution; the Southern Lights are less commonly seen by humans.