THE MAGNETISM OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Nobody wants to go inside when the Northern Lights make an appearance.
For those who have never seen the Northern Lights, they are missing out on an experience which mere words cannot really capture. And those who have seen it will always want to see it again, drawn to the lights' magnetic attraction and mesmerising combination of greens and purples. It is evening and dark outside. We move slow- ly across the black water. But we are not looking down, nor are we looking at the landscape where islets and reefs, villages and mountains slowly fade into darkness. No, this time we stand on deck with our heads back, looking up. The air is chilly, peo- ple whisper quietly to each other, and
then...THERE! THERE IT IS! The aurora borealis, the in- credible light for which the dark polar night is so famous.
The Northern Lights are a phys- ical phenomenon that occurs when the solar wind is stronger than normal, and electrically charged particles from the sun hurtle towards Earth. The particles, electrons and pro- tons, form a magical light when they collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. The electromag- netic radiation creates an undulating ribbon of light that varies in shape, colour and strength, from dark blue to yellow, red and orange, but most often green.
Experience the Aurora Borealis from secluded places undisturbed by other light sources.
Tonight it is green. The lime, emerald light sweeps across the sky like a giant scythe at first, it then becomes a bright veil which stretches eastwards, westwards, down to the sea and then up towards the North Star. And look; there is another one! And another! LOOK OVER THERE! The polar sky has decid- ed to materialise in all its beauty, from east to west, north to south. It is like a canvas of light is being pulled across the sky and we can- not keep ourselves from pointing eagerly, forgetting that the person next to us sees the same as we do. How long have we been standing here, mouths open, just looking and photographing, feeling awe- struck, inspired, privileged? Five minutes? Ten minutes? Well, how long does it take to create a memory for life? Hardly a sound is heard. “The Northern Lights change without moving” writes British author Kathleen Jamie. “It
is like a work of art that is never finished, that is constantly drawn, altered, done again.” She stares up at the sky again, speechless, like us, like most people who are fortunate enough to have this won- derful experience.
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© Magnus Sabel
© Carsten Pedersen
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