Last Chance to See the Aurora Lights

本文由BRITISH COUNCIL–全球最值得信賴的英語

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教學機構–提供，網址：www.britishcouncil.org.tw

Last Chance to See the Aurora Lights 想看極光 把握最後機會 撰文及考題設計／British Council 英協教育中心 Melissa Henry 中譯／陳怡君 （中央社編譯）

圖／歐新社

當大氣層中的各種氣體受到激發，會散發出不同顏色，使極光擁有各種不同的顏色。 圖為今年3月在德國布蘭登堡（Brandenburg）色彩絢爛的極光。

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and slows down the particles. They then cause a

as it been your dream to see the Aurora

sudden change in Earth’s magnetic field when they

Lights? Scientists expect that 2016 will be the

collide with the gas molecules in the atmosphere.

last year to easily see the Aurora Lights until 2023,

The atmosphere molecules become excited which

so hurry before you miss your chance!

therefore makes them unstable and are forced to

看極光是你一直以來的夢想嗎？科學家預測在

release its extra energy as electric currents, or light.

2023年以前，2016年是容易看到極光的最後一年，

Each gas in the atmosphere (oxygen, nitrogen, etc.)

因此在你錯失機會前最好趕快！

emits a different color of light when excited, which

2 The Aurora Borealis (in the Northern hemisphere)

is why the Aurora Lights have the various blues, greens, yellows and reds.

and Aurora Australis (in the Southern hemisphere)

（位於北半球的）北極光與（位於南半球的）南

are colorful lights that appear in the sky. They are

極光是在天空出現的七彩光芒，極光是在太陽表

caused when the sun has a large explosion and

面發生磁爆時所產生，太陽在太空釋放出帶電粒

thrusts charged particles into space. These particles

子來到地球，當這些粒子抵達地球時，地球的大

reach Earth but the atmosphere protects Earth

氣層能緩衝這些粒子、以達到保護地球的作用。

CNA NEWSWORLD

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當粒子與大氣分子在大氣層碰撞後，地球磁場會

黑子週期，依據可看見的太陽黑子數估算。週期內

突然改變，讓大氣分子處於不穩定的激發狀態，

有黑子數最大值與最小值，這和見到極光的難易

並被迫釋放出電流、光等多餘能量。當大氣層中

度有關。有些科學家將太陽黑子週期比喻成「心

的氣體（氧、氮等）受到激發時，會散發出不同顏

跳」，意味太陽每10年至12年跳動一次，每一次的

色，這也是為什麼極光有各種不同的藍、綠、黃、

跳動造成太陽表面爆炸，也因此出現極光。

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紅等顏色。

3 The lights happen in cycles and scientists started

April 2014 and the cycle is on its way to its end.

counting them in 1755. The sun is currently on

Although this cycle has been a relatively weak one

its 24th sunspot cycle, which is measured by the

in comparison to those in the past, scientists suggest

number of sunspots visible on the sun. Within the

traveling this year to see the lights because the sun

cycle there are sunspot maximums and minimums,

will soon enter its usual dormant period. However,

which correspond to how easily it is to see the

there is also a possibility of a hibernation period, or

lights. Some relate the sunspot cycle to a ‘heartbeat’,

a Grand Solar Minimum, in the upcoming years.

meaning that the sun beats every 10 to 12 years and

第24個黑子週期已經在2014年4月達到頂峰，現

this is what causes the explosions on the sun and

正逐漸進入尾聲。雖然這個週期和過去相比較為

therefore the lights.

衰弱，但由於太陽很快將進入休眠期，科學家仍建

極 光的出現與太陽活動週 期有關，科 學家從 1755年開始統計，目前太陽活動處於第24個太陽 綠色是極光最常出現的顏色，原因是散發綠色極光的氧原子在大氣 中含量較高，且波長也正好位在人類眼睛最敏感的部分所致。

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The 24th cycle maximum has already passed in

全球中央雜誌 2016.09

議今年是適合賞極光的時機。不過未來幾年還是 可能出現休眠，意即「太陽活動極小期」。

本文由BRITISH COUNCIL–全球最值得信賴的英語 教學機構–提供，網址：www.britishcouncil.org.tw

當太陽（左）產生磁 爆，其中的高能帶 電粒子（energetic particles）會透過太陽 風來到地球大氣層（右 圖中紫、藍線條處）並 與大氣分子相互碰撞， 改變了地球磁場，並連 帶使大氣層中氣體受到 激發，產生出不同顏色 的極光。圖為2013年 NASA釋出的輻射粒子 示意圖。

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只有從黃昏到黎明時分才看得到。大多數人選擇

It is recommended to see the lights during the

去斯堪地那維亞、格陵蘭島、加拿大、阿拉斯加或

equinox months of September and March, but they

俄羅斯看極光，但在蘇格蘭的遠北地區、威爾斯、

can be seen from October through February in the

英格蘭與北愛爾蘭也能看得到。在前往任何目的

Northern hemisphere. You will also need to stay

地看極光前，科學家建議先查看地磁活動，以提高

away from light pollution and stay awake into the

看到夜晚天空「放電」的機會。

night as they are typically only visible from dusk to

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dawn. Most people choose Scandinavia, Greenland,

The Aurora Lights have long been thought of as

Canada, Alaska, or Russia to see the lights, but

one of the wonders of the world and have drawn

they can also be seen in the far northern parts of

millions of tourists in high hopes of seeing the

Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland!

dancing lights. If you want to catch this current

Before going to any destination to see the lights,

sunspot cycle, you will need to arrange your travel

scientists recommend checking the geomagnetic

sooner rather than later, or you will have to wait for

activity to have a higher promise of electric activity

the next heartbeat of the sun.

in the night sky.

極光一直以來被視為世界奇景，至今吸引數百

建議觀賞極光的季節是9月和3月的秋分與春分

萬名高度期望目睹光之舞的遊客。如果你想把握

時節，但在北半球可以從10月一路看到2月，同時得

目前的太陽黑子週期，就得盡早安排旅程，否則就

避開光害，還得在夜晚保持清醒，因為一般來說

得等到太陽的下一次「心跳」。

CNA NEWSWORLD

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Key Words charged particle 帶電粒子 – a particle, such as a proton or electron, with a positive or negative charge

caused by a change in the magnetic field

atmosphere 大氣層 – the gases that surround Earth

hibernation 冬眠 – a season of inactivity

magnetic field 磁場 – an area of space that has charged particles in it gas molecules 氣體分子 – a group of atoms bonded together that make up gas, which is a state of matter with no fixed shape or volume emit 散發、噴發 – produce; make

dormant 睡眠狀態 – temporarily inactive, such as in a deep sleep equinox 分點（太陽一年有兩次會通過赤道面 與黃道面 各為春分和秋分） – when the sun crosses the celestial equator making day and night equal length, happens twice a year geomagnetic activity 地磁活動 – increase in disturbance of Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar winds

sunspot 太陽黑子 – a dark, cool spot on the sun

雅思考試模擬試題 IELTS questions

雅思考試粉絲團： www.facebook.com/ielts.testcentre

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the article for each answer.

1. What does the sun throw out into the solar system that causes a change in the geomagnetic field?

2. What is the final result of Earth’s atmospheric molecules becoming unstable?

3. What happens twice a year that makes it easier to see the Aurora Lights?

4. What cycle number is the next ‘heartbeat of the sun’?

5. What hemisphere do people usually travel to to see the lights?

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-E, below 6. If the sun goes into a Grand Solar Minimum, 7. It is important to immerse yourself into the dark night 8. The reason for the higher chance of seeing green light is because 9. It is easier to see the lights during a sunspot maximum because 10. If you do not see the dancing lights this year,

A so that you can see the lights.

B it is unlikely you will see the grand spectacle until the next decade.

C the lights will become a rarity.

D the explosions on the sun are larger and therefore throw more particles.

E there is a higher amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.

2.light

3.equinox

4.25th

5.northern

6.C

7.A

8.E

9.D

10.B 全球中央雜誌 2016.09

Answers:1.particles

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