GRAND RAPIDS — The awe-inspiring Northern lights displays that captivated people across the United States this past weekend originate a long way from Earth's atmosphere.
KAXE contributor Bob "Tornado Bob" Conzemius is a meteorologist and aurora borealis enthusiast. He joined the KAXE Morning Show on Tuesday, May 14, to explain the science behind the lights. And it all starts with the sun — a giant fusion reactor, Bob said.
“[The sun is] fusing hydrogen into helium and in the process, it’s very hot in its surface,” Bob said. “The sun has what we call plasma, and the plasma is highly radiated.”
The gaseous material leaves the sun's surface, and then various types of solar wind, traveling at 200 miles per second, become a highly ionized gas. When that gas reaches the earth, northern lights occur — the result of highly charged particles that become hooked into our magnetic field.
Depending on the particle, different colors might appear in the aurora. The proliferation of cellphone cameras capable of capturing vivid color may be confusing some people who expect to see in the sky what they see in photos.
"Eyes don’t have the color sensitivity at that light intensity," Bob said. Listen to the full conversation above to hear more.
See Bob’s aurora borealis photos here. Did you see the northern lights? Tell us about it!
-
A list of resources, information and answers to questions about Bemidji storm recovery, including cleanup tips, road and other closures and how to support the community.
-
Some remained without power Monday afternoon, the BSU and NTC campuses are still closed and storm debris still blocks trails, roads and more as cleanup continues.
-
'Every Ghost' by Kelsey Waldon is KAXE's Album of the Week for June 23-29, 2025.
-
Part of the Nippon Steel’s national security agreement with Trump administration includes $800 million in local investments, few job protections.
-
Property owners may be eligible for property tax relief if the damage to their property totaled at least 50% of its value or if their property is homesteaded.
-
-
The Park Rapids Clay Dusters won the invitation-only 2025 Minnesota State High School League state tournament. The top 40 teams in the state compete.
-
Carlos A. Hernandez will serve out the remainder of former Chair Cathy Chavers' term. Chavers stepped down in January 2025 to focus on her mental health.
-
Minnesota lawyer-turned-writer Debbie Russell shares her experiences discovering family secrets while struggling with dysfunctional family dynamics in "Crossing Fifty-One: Not Quite a Memoir."
-
Mesabi Metallics offered its second community tour of its new mine in Nashwauk on Thursday, June 19. After decades of uncertainty, the company says production will start early next year.