The auroral oval
Most locations can only see aurora when the solar wind is
active due to solar storms. Then the Earth’s magnetic field
directs energized particles into oval rings (see dotted line)
near the poles that thicken and spread towards the equator.
Text Box: Courtesy: Dynamics Explorer-1 satellite
Auroral oval from
above the North Pole
Side view of the two “auroral
crowns” at the poles