This refers to the process by which the light is generated; the excitation of nitrogen molecules due to electron collisions (the electrons possibly having been energized by the electromagnetic pulse caused by a discharge from an underlying thunderstorm).
Dette henviser til processen som skaber lyset; eksiteringen af nitrogenmolekyler ved elektronkollisioner (elektronerne er formentlig blevet ladet af de elektromagnetiske pulser forårsaget af en udladning fra en underliggende tordenstorm).