Google Maps Lets Users Explore the Aurora Borealis

Google lets users see the Aurora Borealis from their computer.

ByABC News
January 15, 2015, 4:37 PM
Google posted this image of the Aurora Borealis is lighting up Google Street View.
Google posted this image of the Aurora Borealis is lighting up Google Street View.
Google

— -- Check out those breathtaking northern lights!

Google added the aurora borealis to its Google Maps gallery today glowing above a frozen lake in Finland. With the click of a mouse, online explorers can traverse the frozen lake and take in the breathtaking sights.

While the virtual experience likely pales in comparison to seeing the colorful lights in person, people viewing at home have the added bonus of not needing to suit up in winter gear to battle the arctic cold.

The aurora borealis puts on a show thanks to charged particles from the sun interacting with molecules in earth. It's only visible at certain latitudes and times of year, making it a rare sight for most of the seven billion people on the planet.