The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, have fascinated humanity for millennia. These shimmering lights, dancing across the polar skies, have inspired myths, spurred scientific curiosity, and continue to be a subject of awe today. Here, we will explore the rich history of human interpretations of the Northern Lights, starting with ancient beliefs and myths, then move on to early scientific attempts to explain them, and finally, delve into modern scientific understanding, focusing particularly on the pioneering work of the Norwegian Kristian Birkeland and end with the more modern approach to the scientific understanding of the Northern Lights. That said, there is still quite a bit that we have not figured out yet, and research into climate change and magnetic activity has renewed the interest in Northern Lights over the past years.
Ancient Beliefs and Myths
Indigenous Beliefs
Long before scientific explanations, indigenous peoples in the Arctic regions developed their own interpretations of the Northern Lights. For the Sami people of Northern Europe, the auroras were believed to be the energies of their ancestors, dancing in the sky. They were revered and feared, as the Sami believed that the lights held great power and should not be mocked or disturbed. Even as a kid, I was that you should never move a piece of white fabric when the lights were out - the lights could come down and grab you.
Similarly, the Inuit of North America had a deep respect for the auroras, often associating them with spirits. Some Inuit groups believed the lights were the souls of animals or humans, playing a celestial game of football with a walrus skull, while others saw them as the spirits of the deceased, guiding the living.
In North America, various indigenous tribes also had their own interpretations. For example, the Algonquin people thought the auroras were the reflection of a large fire, lit by the Great Spirit Nanahboozho, to remind them of his presence. Across the world, the Northern Lights were seen not just as natural phenomena but as integral parts of the spiritual and cultural fabric of these societies.
Myths Across Civilizations
Beyond the Arctic, other civilizations also crafted myths to explain the mysterious lights. In Norse mythology, the auroras were believed to be a reflection of the mythical Bifrost, the rainbow bridge that connected Midgard (Earth) to Asgard, the realm of the gods. This connection to the divine realm imbued the Northern Lights with a sacred significance, marking them as omens or signals from the gods.
In East Asia, particularly in China and Japan, the Northern Lights were often seen as celestial dragons fighting in the sky, their breath creating colorful lights. These myths reflect the broader cultural tendency to interpret natural phenomena through the lens of local cosmology and folklore.
Medieval Europe also had its share of beliefs, often interpreting the Northern Lights as bad omens, signaling wars, plagues, or other disasters. The eerie, ghostly appearance of the auroras likely contributed to their association with supernatural occurrences, making them a source of fear and fascination.
Early Scientific Interpretations
Early Attempts to Explain the Aurora
As human societies advanced, so too did their attempts to explain the natural world, including the Northern Lights. In ancient Greece, philosophers like Aristotle speculated that the auroras were reflections of sunlight, though the details of how this occurred were not fully understood. This early attempt to rationalize the auroras laid the groundwork for future scientific inquiries.
During the Renaissance, the revival of scientific thought brought renewed interest in understanding the auroras. Galileo Galilei, one of the most prominent scientists of this era, theorized that the Northern Lights were caused by sunlight reflecting off the atmosphere. While this theory was incorrect, it marked an important step in moving away from supernatural explanations and toward natural ones.
Did you know that for almost a 100 years during the 16th century, there were almost no Northern Lights observations reported? There are different theories to why - this would have been in the middle of the "Little Ice Age", and lower activity on the sun is one theory. Another theory is that few people could read and write.
The Transition to Scientific Inquiry
By the 17th and 18th centuries, more accurate observations and theories began to emerge. René Descartes, the French philosopher and mathematician, proposed that the auroras were caused by the refraction of sunlight in the atmosphere, akin to the phenomenon of a rainbow. Although his theory was also flawed, it demonstrated a growing trend toward seeking natural explanations for the auroras.
These early scientific interpretations, while often incorrect, were crucial in shifting the perception of the Northern Lights from mystical phenomena to subjects worthy of scientific study. This transition set the stage for more rigorous scientific inquiry, which would eventually lead to the modern understanding of the auroras.
The Norwegian Kristian Birkeland and the Birth of Modern Science
Birkeland’s Work
The true scientific breakthrough in understanding the Northern Lights came with the work of Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Birkeland was a physicist and a visionary who conducted pioneering experiments that laid the foundation for modern auroral science.
Birkeland’s most famous experiment involved the “Terrella,” a small magnetized sphere that he placed inside a vacuum chamber. By directing an electric current toward the sphere, he was able to recreate the auroral phenomena on a small scale, demonstrating that the Northern Lights were caused by charged particles interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field.
Birkeland’s work was revolutionary because it provided a plausible physical explanation for the auroras. He proposed that the Northern Lights were the result of solar winds—streams of charged particles emitted by the sun—being guided by the Earth’s magnetic field toward the poles, where they collided with atoms in the atmosphere, releasing energy in the form of light.
Legacy and Impact
Birkeland’s theories were initially met with skepticism, but over time, they gained acceptance as more evidence emerged. It took 60 years for his theories to be fully proven with the development of satellites. His work laid the groundwork for the discovery of the “Birkeland Currents,” vast electric currents that flow along the Earth’s magnetic field lines and play a crucial role in the formation of auroras.
Today, Kristian Birkeland is regarded as a pioneer of space physics, and his contributions have had a lasting impact on the field. His work not only advanced our understanding of the Northern Lights but also opened up new avenues of research into the interactions between the Earth and space.
A fun fact is that Birkeland was nominated for the Nobel Prize 7 times, but never got the award. He was however the face on the Norwegian NOK200 note until he was replaced by a Codfish a few years back.
Modern Understanding and Research
The Science Behind the Aurora
Modern science has built on Birkeland’s work to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Northern Lights. We now know that the auroras are caused by the interaction between the solar wind—a stream of charged particles from the sun—and the Earth’s magnetosphere, the region of space dominated by the Earth’s magnetic field.
When these charged particles from the solar wind collide with atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere, they transfer energy to the atoms, causing them to become excited. When the atoms return to their normal state, they release this energy in the form of light, which we see as the colorful displays of the auroras.
The specific colors of the auroras are determined by the types of atoms involved and the altitude at which the collisions occur. For example, oxygen atoms at high altitudes produce red and green lights, while nitrogen atoms produce blue and purple hues.
Current Research and Technological Advancements
In recent decades, advances in technology have greatly enhanced our ability to study the Northern Lights. Satellites equipped with sophisticated instruments now monitor the auroras from space, providing valuable data on their structure and behavior. Ground-based observatories and research stations in polar regions also contribute to our understanding by capturing detailed images and measurements.
Ongoing research is focused on understanding the finer details of auroral formation, such as the precise mechanisms that govern the flow of Birkeland Currents and the impact of solar storms on auroral activity. This research is not only important for understanding the Northern Lights but also for predicting space weather events that can affect satellite communications, power grids, and other technologies on Earth.
The Future of Auroral Science
Looking to the future, scientists continue to explore new ways to study the Northern Lights. Upcoming space missions and advances in computational modeling promise to provide even deeper insights into the complex interactions between the Earth’s magnetosphere and the solar wind.
One area of particular interest is the natural changes in the Earth’s magnetic field and their impact on the auroras. The Earth's magnetic field is constantly shifting due to various factors, including the movement of molten iron within the Earth's core. These changes can influence the frequency, location, and intensity of auroral displays. As the magnetic field evolves, it may cause the auroras to become more prominent in some areas while diminishing in others. Understanding these natural variations is crucial for predicting future auroral activity and assessing their implications for both scientific research and societal impacts, such as satellite communications and power grid stability.
From a local perspective, the milder weather in the Arctic is a challenge for Northern Lights hunters as it produces more clouds along the coast. Periods of warmer weather have also canceled several tours in the north as the road conditions, winds and weather in general make it difficult to do tours with reasonable safety and a chance of seeing the lights, especially in the two first months of the year.
Did you know that the Northern Lights oval is moving due to movement in the magnetic poles and the tilt of the earth? It is a slow process.
An unpredictable natural phenomenon
The Northern Lights have captivated human imagination for centuries, inspiring a rich tapestry of myths, legends, and scientific inquiry. From the spiritual interpretations of indigenous peoples and the myths of ancient civilizations to the pioneering work of Kristian Birkeland and the advanced research of today, our understanding of the auroras has evolved dramatically.
Yet, despite our scientific progress, the Northern Lights remain a source of wonder and mystery. They remind us of the beauty and complexity of the natural world and the enduring human quest to understand it. As we continue to study the Northern Lights, we uncover the secrets of the universe and deepen our appreciation for the intricate connections between Earth, space, and the cosmic forces that shape our world.
Whether you are a scientist, a tourist, or simply a lover of nature, the Northern Lights offer a profound reminder of the beauty and mystery that surrounds us. As a Northern Lights guide in the Arctic, there is nothing more exciting than hunting the lights, and at the same time nothing as frustrating due to the unpredictable nature of when and where it appears. So, next time you gaze up at the night sky and see the auroras dancing above, feel lucky that she decided to appear on this particular night and take a moment to reflect on the rich history, the cutting-edge science, and the timeless wonder that she represents.
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