Airglow: Why The Night Sky Is Really Green

The video explores the night sky's airglow, a faint green light visible in low-light conditions, distinct from auroras. Airglow results from the sun's ultraviolet radiation exciting oxygen molecules, which release energy at night. This process creates a green glow, with a red layer above it, visible from space. The video also provides resources for further learning.

What is the faint green glow in the night sky called?

• Aurora

• Airglow

• Starlight

• Moonlight

What causes the oxygen molecules in the atmosphere to split into atoms?

• Ultraviolet radiation

• Infrared radiation

• Microwave radiation

• Visible light

At what altitude does the green airglow primarily occur?

• 70-80 kilometers

• 95-100 kilometers

• 110-120 kilometers

• 50-60 kilometers

What happens to oxygen atoms at the edge of space when they can't find a partner atom?

• They emit blue light

• They remain stable

• They combine with nitrogen atoms

• They drop electrons to a lower state

What color is emitted when oxygen atoms release energy at the outermost limits of Earth's atmosphere?

• Yellow

• Red

• Green

• Blue