Northern lights: the truth and myths

The first mention of the Northern lights date back to 655-679 BC. for a Long time people have not been able to explain its origin. This magnificent celestial performance, accompanied by incomprehensible sounds, caused not so much admiration as fear. It is not surprising that since then the Northern lights are shrouded in a trail of myths and legends.

The Eskimos believed that the Aurora Borealis was the light from the Windows of the heavenly Palace, where the souls of dead hunters dwell.

The Norwegians saw in the Northern lights a good sign - their power is shared with the heavenly Kingdom.

An ancient Finnish belief says that the extraordinary light is a bridge on which the gods descend to the earth.

Despite the fact that scientists have long explained the nature of the Northern lights, to this day, many people believe in the mystical meaning of its appearance.

The first scientist who could explain the mystery of the mysterious heavenly light was Mikhail Lomonosov. His assumption that electricity was to blame was correct.

As a result of solar flares, the solar wind - a stream of energy-charged particles-rushes towards the Earth. In places of greatest magnetic attraction, at the poles, the particles penetrate into the atmosphere of the planet and collide with molecules of nitrogen and oxygen. As a result of the collision, microscopic "explosions" occur, which causes the charged particles to glow. Oxygen attaches to the glow of the emerald and red shades, and nitrogen is purple.

Thus, it becomes obvious-the schedule of the colorful presentation directly depends on the space weather. If the Sun is calm, then in the near future a Grand spectacle is not expected.

The Northern lights are not silent. The human ear is able to catch the sounds that accompany the heavenly glow. Crackling, hissing-that's the sound of electricity.

The Northern lights do not stand still. It moves, constantly changing its shape. Therefore, each performance is unique. Auroras occur at an altitude of more than 100 kilometers, so clouds can become a serious hindrance.

The most favorable time to observe it is the dark time in the period from November to February. Alaska, the North of Canada, the Scandinavian Peninsula, the North of Russia - these are the places on our planet where hunters go for the Northern lights. The closer the observer gets to the Arctic circle, the higher the probability of witnessing a spectacle that will remain in the memory forever.

Every year the number of people wishing to see the Northern lights with their own eyes grows. Harsh conditions, unpredictable weather and long waits are not able to stop those who set a goal. Because one day the black sky will spill watercolor - paint Shine illuminate the darkness, and the beauty of nature will appear in all its Majesty. A sense of happiness and full unity with the eternal. The worldview will not be the same. Yes, it's worth it.

Author: Zhlobich Lyudmila