Morten J. Wallin

Aurora Borealis

Aurora Borealis, more popularly known as the Northern Lights, was a source of superstition in the Middle Ages. This dazzling spectacle, which is accompanied by whispering sounds, put the fear of God into those who didnt know that this was simply one of natures grand shows. Many heathen attributed the phenomenon to the incomprehensible ways of the gods. Today we know better. Every 11 years, the amount of particles emitted by the sun is at its highest level, as is the case this year. These particles are hurled away from the sun, beyond its magnetic field. A small percentage of these particles are able to penetrate the earths atmosphere. Once they are here, they begin to collide and form the beautiful patterns in the night sky which we call the Aurora Borealis.