Articles
Aurora Borealis
The lights of the aurora borealis are visible at night,
most commonly in the northern latitudes. These "northern
lights" have mystified peoples for thousands of years.
Cultures have developed a number of stories to explain the
mystery and beauty of the aurora.
Modern science tells us that the aurora borealis is caused
by magnetically charged particles interacting with the Earth's
upper atmosphere. Collisions between these charged particles
and molecules or atoms provide brilliant color displays.
Vivid reds and greens come from collisions between charged
particles and oxygen atoms; low-level reds and blue or violet
colors come from nitrogen.
Amazingly, Earth is not the only planet to
experience auroras. They have been observed on Mars and Venus using modern
satellites and equipment, not to mention the Mars Global Surveyor. Other
planets experiencing auroras include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Throughout history, mankind has sought to
explain these fantastical lights. Various cultures have developed many
theories. Russian folklore suggests that the colors were caused by dragons who
would seduce women once the menfolk were away.
The Scots called the northern lights "merry dancers"
(na fir-chlis in Gaelic). The merry dancers would
play in the sky, and games often ended in serious violence.
To the Scots, the aurora borealis indicated unsettled weather
in the forecast.
The Sami people respected and feared the northern lights.
When the lights were watching, people were very quiet and
very careful not to offend the lights. Those who mocked
the lights were doomed–the lights would descend on
the offender, killing him or her for their cheek.
Latvian folklore saw the lights as an omen
of disaster. The red lights were the flickering souls of dead warriors,
battling in the sky. War or disaster was sure to follow.
Yukon Gold Rush prospectors dreamed of the reflection of
the "mother lode," reflected in the sky. Algonquin
tribes saw the lights as ancestors, dancing near a ceremonial
fire.
Through time, the aurora has been seen
alternately as foreshadowing great good or great evil. Modern science provides
us with a more rational explanation, one that has no room for magic and
mystery. No matter what the explanation, the aurora continues to amaze us with
its colourful light display.
Want to see the aurora borealis? The best time to see them
is in September-October, and again in March-April. The northern
latitudes are best for viewing–the further north,
the better! Get ready to be dazzled.
Aurora australis, the "Southern lights," captured
by NASA in September 2005. .
The aurora borealis over Canada.
Back to articles index.
|
