![]() Remember those charged particles that enter our atmosphere near the poles? From space, a northern lights display is often seen as an oval around the poles–and that's what you see on prediction software. The lights occur in an oval-shaped band around the poles It also explains why it's best to get far away from the lights of towns and cities to maximise your chances of a sighting. This means that the days around a full moon are not the best for hunting the lights. However, our eyes need darkness to be able to perceive them. ![]() The northern lights are only visible when it's dark, but they can occur at any timeĬontrary to what some people think, the aurora borealis can occur at any time of day. How high? According to Norway's UiT, the lights are generally found between 90km and 130 km above ground level, although they can be even higher. But in actual fact, the lights are high up in our planet's atmosphere. When you're watching an especially strong northern lights display, it can seem as if you could almost reach out and touch them. The northern lights occur around 100km above the earth This collision of the charged particles and the gases in our atmosphere cause the light, which is a release of photon energy. ![]() Most of the charged particles are deflected away, but some make it into the atmosphere close to the two magnetic poles. When the solar wind reaches the earth, it causes a distortion in the magnetic field. An aurora display is actually a distortion in the earth's magnetic field An aurora borealis display of green and purple lights above Longyearbyen, Svalbard 6. Here, massive explosions of electromagnetic matter called coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurl charged particles into space. Known as a solar wind, these particles make their towards earth where they cause the lights a few days later. While the lights occur in the Earth's atmosphere, their cause lies around millions of kilometres away on the surface of the sun. The northern lights are initially caused by the sun Now, let's take a look at what we know about the causes of this wonderful light show. While I'm fascinated by the myths and legends associated with the lights, I'm just as fascinated by the science. The aurora legends also include fertility! In Japanese culture for example, a child conceived during a northern lights display will be blessed with good looks, intellect and good fortune. Japanese culture associates the aurora with luck If you happen to see the lights, keep an eye on your health! Occasionally, the northern lights can seem to fill the night sky 4. ![]() Meanwhile, in Italy and France the lights were believed to be a bad omen that could herald the outbreak of anything from war to plague. In fact, in the British Isles the skies were said to have ‘blazed red' just a few weeks before the French Revolution. Not everyone associated the lights with gods or postivity. Some Europeans saw the aurora as a harbinger of war It is said that many early Chinese legends about dragons can be linked to these rare light shows, taken to be a battle between good and evil dragons. That means that on the rare occasions a significant solar event caused a sighting in China, the impact was signifiant. Given the latitude, sightings of the lights in China are always rare. The northern lights play a part in Chinese dragon legends Skiers watching the aurora borealis in Northern Norway 2. ![]() These female warriors would choose which of the fallen would gain entry to Valhalla. Norse legends also suggest that these pulsating green ribbons of light served as an archway into Valhalla. One Norse legend has the lights as reflections from the shield and armour of the Valkyries. The northern lights feature in Norse mythology Many myths and legends around the world are associated with the northern lights, as indigenous people tried to make sense of what they saw. But before we knew the science, it's understandable that our ancestors struggled to comprehend what they were seeing. Of course, we know today what causes the northern lights. So, if you're at all curious about the aurora borealis, join me and let's dive into these fascinating northern lights facts! A northern lights display above Reine in Norway's Lofoten islands The mythology of the northern lights Since moving to Norway I've managed to see the lights many times, including just a few days ago here in Trondheim! In my research for my Moon Norway guidebook, I spoke to many aurora experts and tour providers to learn more about this bizarre natural phenomenon. ![]()
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