Northern "Aurora Borealis" Lights

One of the things that I find fascinatingly beautiful in Alaska's winter
darkness is the awesome display of the Northern Lights! They are
officially called Aurora Borealis , which means luminous arches or
streams of lights. Every time they show up they are admired by all,
even the "sourdoughs" (long time Alaskans) of the land.

They usually start by just a small streak of pale light in the dark sky that may
sometimes resemble a small cloud reflecting light. They gradually grow
larger and longer, and develop a massive curtain like effect that gently and
constantly waves across the entire sky, these waves of lights sometimes
stay white or yellow, or change into a variety of colors; reds, blues,
violets and greens. They say that red is the dominant color; but I have
seen the red lights very seldom. What I see the most, are white or
greenish blue light displays

Beautiful Display of Aurora Borealis

Alaska's Night Lights (photo by Mike Kingston)

Photo by Mike Kingston

A long time ago, people seeing Northern Lights did not understand what caused them,
so in order to calm the fears, there were many reasons or what we call myths
created,

The lights are:
gods or goddess showing themselves to man
and/or
spirits or souls dancing

But these ideas are not to be considered strange since "Aurora" is the
name of the Roman "goddess of Dawn"

A Picturesque Scene of Northern Lights Over a Cabin in The Snow

Northern Lights Frame a Cabin (photo by Mike Kingston)

Photo by Mike Kingston

I am going to try and explain what causes the Northern Lights as simply
as I possibly can.

The sun discharges ion particles. So a cloud is formed from these ion
particles (plasma) which is also known as solar wind. The solar wind touches
our planet's magnetic fields causing some of the particles to be trapped.
These trapped particles are then drawn down into the ionosphere
above our planet's surface. They crash into gases that are in the
ionosphere which produces the colors that seem to streak across the
skies.

But sometimes facts and fiction can get mixed up in the telling of Northern Light stories.

For Instance:
Fact: Northern Lights can interfere with radio, television, and satellite communications.
This is true on some occasions.
The Aurora Borealis has 3 different classifications.
Class - C events are Small solar flares which doesn't interfere
Class - M events are Medium solar Flares and can interfere
Class - X events are very large solar flares or storms which will interfere

Brilliant Greens Reflect Off The Lake Ice And Snow

Beautiful Greenish Yellow Northern Lights (photo by Dwight Phillips)

Photo by Dwight Phillips

Fact: The Aurora Borealis can affect airplanes that are flying in the area.
This fact is not true, it is fiction, because the airplanes are not flying anywhere
near the altitudes of the Northern Lights, so flights are not affected.

Fact: Our Planet's temperature changes can predict a display of lights.
This is also fiction, the fluctuating temperatures of the earth do not cause a light
display or keep the Northern Lights from showing up.

Fact: The appearance of the Northern Lights can be predicted like the weather!
This fact is true! There are a variety of ways being used to predict when there should be
a display of northern lights, including colors, and the area where they can be seen.

Here is a website that will call you to inform you of when and where a
Aurora Borealis display can be seen.

Aurora Borealis Phone Alert

A Variety of Colorful Light Displays Fill The Dark Skies

4 different displays of Northern Lights (photo by Mike Kingston)

Photos by Mike Kingston

There are many a night that we either see them ourselves or someone calls us to let
us know that there is a big display of lights showing. Sometimes we see the beautiful curtains
of lights waving gently across the sky almost as if there is music controlling the movements,
while we are driving at night. They fill the sky causing the white snow covering to reflect
the colors, so if we have a blue display we have light blue sparkling snow, if red then
pinkish red snow color and so on...

I have stood outside in the middle of the night in -40 temps just to admire the beautiful
lights running across the skies, sometimes if the display is especially amazing we get
calls all hours of the night from friends and family excited to share the beauty with
someone! I have learned to keep my boots near the door and a heavy jacket to
grab on the way out because I get so mesmerized by the light display that I forget
it is cold, and end up freezing my tuckus off! But I wouldn't trade those moments
of watching the dark skies filled with stars and swaying strands of bright
lights for anything else.

The Color of Fire In The Alaskan Skies

Beautiful Red Aurora Borealis (photo by Mike Kingston)

Photo by Mike Kingston

Sometimes I find it very hard to describe a beautiful phenomenon such as the
Northern "Aurora Borealis" Lights. I sometimes wish I could... just for a moment...
bring all my far-away friends here to see them, because I really don't think there is
a description apt enough to fit this amazingly beautiful sight!

See Also: Sunrise * Sunset

Later...

K Fields

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