The magic of Aurora Borealis: the celestial dance of the nature
Few things in the world can compete with the magic of the Aurora Borealis, a natural show that seemed to just come out of a dream. This fascinating glowing prodigy is also known as the"Northern Lights", it is a phenomenon that links science and imagination, lighting up the night skies with vibrant colours and transforming the ordinary into extraordinary.
Ancestors called it with different names, like "Lights of the North", but was Galileo Galilei who coined the name "Aurora Borealis", joining the name of the Roman goddess of the sunrise, Aurora, to the Greek name of the north wind god, Borea.
What is an Aurora Borealis?
An Aurora is the result of a reaction between particles coming from the Sun and the Earth's magnetic field. When the solar wind - a constant streaming of particles ejected from the Sun's corona- reaches Earth, some of those particles are caught by the Earth's magnetic field and are pushed towards the magnetic poles. Here, they interact with the atoms and molecules of our atmosphere such as oxygen, and nitrogen. These interactions free energy in the form of light, creating the peculiar dancing glares in the skies.
The colour of the Aurora (or Northern Lights), is determined by the gases involved: oxygen produces shades of green and red, while nitrogen gives the blue and purple. The intensity and variety of colours also depends from the density of the atmosphere and the energy of the solar particles.
A phenomenon that inspires myths and legends
Northern Lights is not only a scientific event, but it is also a source of folkloristic and spiritual inspiration. Native people, since the dawn of the time, gave spiritual and mystical meanings to those dancing lights. Sami people, natives of Lapland, believe that the Northern Lights are the reflection of the spirits who dance in the sky. Other myths describe it as a celestial runway crossed by the souls, or as divine messages sent to men by the Norse deities, while for others is the tail of the magic arctic fox.
Also in literature and art, the Aurora Boreale has been an inspiration and symbol of beauty and mystery. Writers and poets have described its shades as metaphors of passion and transformation, while photographs and painters constantly try to capture the ephemeral magic of this spectacular celestial display.
An intimate meeting with the sky
Admiring the Northern Lights is an experience that goes beyond the simple observation. It is an intimate meeting with the sky, a moment that recalls the infinity of the universe and our place in its inner. Imagine finding yourself on a freezing night, surrounded by the darkness of the night, immersed in nature. Above you, suddenly the sky erupts with green and purple waves of light. In that moment, time seems to stop and all that matters is the bond between you and the universe.
Aurora as a promise of enchant
In the end, the Aurora Borealis is not only a natural phenomenon but also a promise of enchant. This is proof that, even in the most cold and dark nights, there are moments of pure magic, ready to remind us that our world is full of beauty and mystery.
If you haven't ever seen this spectacle, let it become one of the most ardent wishes. The sky is ready to tell you a story: a story made of light, colours and dreams that dance in the infinity.
When and where to see it
L’Aurora Boreale è visibile principalmente nelle regioni polari, tra cui il nord della Norvegia, la Svezia, la Finlandia, l’Islanda, il Canada e l’Alaska. Questo fenomeno è visibile durante l’inverno, quando le notti sono più lunghe e il cielo è limpido. I mesi tra settembre e marzo sono considerati ideali per osservare l’aurora, soprattutto durante i periodi di alta attività solare.
To increase the chance of seeing it, it is essential to be in a dark area, far from the light pollution of the cities, and be patient: Northern Lights don't have a specific time but often appears between 21:00 and 02:00.
Practical suggestions to hunt the Northern Lights
If you want to live the charm of the Northern Light, here are some tips:
- Plan in detail: check the geomagnetic activity through specific apps and choose a clear night.
- Dress properly: the Arctic regions can be extremely cold, therefore dress with layers and don't forget gloves, hats and thermal shoes.
- Bring a camera: capturing the Northern Lights requires a camera with manual settings, a tripod and some practice to get the right balance between exposure and light.
- Be patient: the Aurora Borealis can be unpredictable, but waiting under a starry sky is worth every second.
