When a large explosion occurs on the Sun, it sometimes blasts hot gas out toward the Earth. When it arrives here two days later, it hits the Earth's magnetic field and causes it to vibrate. This causes tiny particles called protons and electrons to come raining down on our atmosphere. When one of these tiny particles hits a molecule of gas in our atmosphere, it causes a tiny flash of light. Billions of these tiny flashes of light combine to create what we see as aurora borealis.
Lessons cover science, art, math, poetry, and more.
Here's the link. This show features breathtaking video clips from the Shuttle and NASA's Polar satellite. This program presents the ancient Egyptian view of order and the cosmos, with information on mythology and constellations, the creation of the calendar, and a struggle involving the concept of the Sun. This 20 minute multimedia program is appropriate for grades 5-adult, and provides enough time for us to explore the subject further after the program, or to explore the current night sky. Support materials are available.