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Aurora
Borealis
Inspiring Mystic Wonder
©
Krystal Gates - Harper Street Publishing 2006
The Aurora
Borealis of the Northern Hemisphere and the Aurora Australis of
the Southern Hemisphere have inspired mystic wonder and scientific
awe since the beginning of time. Our earliest ancestors explained
this phenomena through myths, legends, and superstitions. Since,
scientific research and discoveries now define the exact chain
of circumstances that result in their emergence.
Although the auroras are associated with both the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres, they only occur and are visible along two
relatively small, oval bands which are centered and rotate over
the north and south magnetic poles. Although the intensity of
the aurora occasionally extends the viewable range, it is never
strong enough for daylight viewing.
This, coupled with a northern ‘midnight sun’, effectively
eliminates summer viewing
opportunities.
As storms occur on the Sun, charged particles are propelled from
the Sun in the form
of a solar wind. This wind sweeps away from the Sun at speeds
between 300 to 1000 kilometers per second. The aurora occurs when
this charged solar wind strikes our upper atmosphere and consequently
follows the Earth’s magnetic field. The strength and magnitude
of this wind determines the brilliance and longevity of the resulting
aurora. The shape is determined by how the charged particles interact
and follow the Earth’s magnetic field. The speed of this
wind pushes the charged particles into different altitudes of
our atmosphere. The resulting color of the aurora is determined
by the reaction the charged particles have with the varying levels
of oxygen and nitrogen present at different altitudes.
A typical
aurora is about one kilometer thick and happens between altitudes
of 100 to 1000 kilometers. The most common aurora is green. This
aurora occurs as the charged solar wind collides with increasing
amounts of oxygen starting around 400 kilometers of altitude.
Red is the second most frequent color, although there are two
vastly different circumstances that may cast a red hue. The first
red aurora occurs at an altitude of 400 kilometers. This red occurs
as a low energy electron from the solar wind collides with oxygen.
The second type of red occurs as a highly energetic solar particle
collides with nitrogen at an altitude of 90 kilometers. The final,
and most rare colors displayed in the aurora are blue and purple.These
colors occur at an altitude of 1000 kilometers. At this altitude,
nitrogen particles become ionized by the Sun’s ultraviolet
radiation. As the solar wind strikes these ionized nitrogen particles,
the resulting aurora will brilliantly display a purple or blue
hue.
Although science
provides an accurate and thorough method of identifying and understanding
the aurora, it leaves the imagination wanting for fulfillment
as to the myths, legends, and superstitions of our ancestors.
China’s
empire was once large enough that they could see the Aurora Borealis
from within its northern boundary and the Aurora Australis from
within the southern border of their empire. They believed that
the aurora accurately predicted great events for their empire.
In 2600 B.C., Huan-Yuan Fu Poa saw a great dragon (the Aurora)
in the sky. Huan-Yuan Fu Poa was to become the mother of China’s
future Yellow Emperor. It was the day after her sighting that
her physician determined that she was pregnant with the future
emperor. As a result of this prediction, the dragon was chosen
as an imperial emblem.
Others believe that dragons are associated with the northern lights.
The polar constellation
known as Draco, which is normally curled up sleeping around little
bear, occasionally
awakens and spits fire into the skies.
Apollo, the Grecian sun god, was believed to be taking a winter
vacation in the far north
amongst the Hyperboreans, a race that flourished in the arctic
cold. While Apollo was
on vacation, he felt occasion to shine in the northern skies as
proof that he would return
home soon. Similarly, Greenlanders believed the aurora was a glacier
god whose powers
became visible only in the darkness.
Early Vikings believed that the northern lights were reflections
off the shields of the
Valkyries as they carried honored warriors to Valhalla, the Norse
heaven. A red tinged aurora depicted the glow of Vulkan’s
forge or blood dripping from Thor’s sword.
The northern lights hold a spiritual connection with the native
cultures of Greenland,
Canada, and Alaska. Their significance reflects the arctic people’s
sensitivity to detail and their inward nature. One native culture
believes that whistling to the aurora will cause it to sweep down
and take you from the Earth. Clapping your hands is believed to
release you from its grasp and force its retreat.
Another arctic culture believes that the auroras can not only
be seen, but can also be heard. These tribes describe ‘talking
lights’ that tinkle, like bells, swish or crackle. Researches
have yet to collect sufficient acoustical evidence.
The Inuit along the Bering Sea explain the ‘dancing’
aurora as a kickball game in heaven
between children and adults. They say the kickball is the skull
of a walrus. The Tlingit
describe heroic spirits of their dead warriors as they blaze through
the sky. Similarly, the
Chippewa identify glowing ghost fires of proud and valiant fighters.
An egotistical but protective demigod occasionally flaunts his
powers to the Ottawa tribes. Meanwhile, some of the maritime Native
Canadian tribes believe that one giant orchestrates fog, wind,
meteors and a great celestial ‘campfire’, the northern
lights.
There are countless perspectives to guide your thoughts as you
look into the northern
skies and admire the Aurora. It is your choice to let your imagination
run wild or to view the aurora from an entirely scientific perspective.
Whatever the reasons are, may the solar winds carry you spectacular
displays on your journey to view the Aurora.
For
more articles please view the archives.
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