The amplitude of a wave is defined as:

a
one half the distance between the highest and lowest points of a wave
b
how often the wave oscillates
c
the distance between the highest to the lowest points of the wave
d
the distance from one crest to the next crest

the aurora is formed when charged particles emitted from the sun during a solar flare penetrate the earth's magnetic shield and collide with atoms and molecules in our atmosphere. these collisions result in countless little bursts of light, called photons, which make up the aurora.

auroras are generated by charged solar particles hitting molecules in earth's atmosphere. this usually happens in high latitudes, because our planet’s magnetic field tends to funnel these particles toward the poles. that’s why it can be experienced in northern ohio.