Deep into the solitary darkness of the Polar Night, swathes of otherworldly hues dance across the sky. These luminescent waves are the spectacle of the Northern Lights, a natural phenomenon that has left mankind in awestruck wonder for centuries.
Despite its almost supernatural beauty, the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, have an entirely scientific explanation. The magic begins with the Sun, approximately 93 million miles from Earth. Occasional eruptions from the Sun’s surface known as solar flares create streams of charged particles, mainly electrons, and protons, which are then hurled into space. These particles are carried by solar winds and eventually collide with Earth’s magnetic field.
As these solar particles interact with atoms and molecules in Earth's atmosphere, they excite these particles, causing them to light up. Oxygen molecules, in particular, produce green or red lights, while nitrogen generates blue or purple hues.
The Northern Lights are incredibly elusive and their occurrence is not guaranteed. They tend to be stronger during periods of high solar activity, which follow an 11-year solar cycle. The intensity of the Northern Lights can also be affected by the Earth's weather conditions, including cloud coverage and light pollution.
Despite the scientific understanding of these lights, they still carry an air of mysticism for the people of the polar regions. Icelandic folklore considers them the illuminated souls of women in labor, while the Finnish say they are the flashing spurs of the celestial arctic fox. Regardless of the stories, one fact remains universal - The Northern Lights are a beguiling spectacle that speak to the indomitable beauty of our universe.
The bewitching allure of the Northern Lights and the science behind it
