Aurora Borealis over the Jegushalom Glacier Lagoon in southern Iceland on March 18, 2015. (Photo courtesy — European Space Agency, Carlos Gauna)

At the end of October and early this month, spectacular aurora activity can be seen in most parts of the northern hemisphere. According to reports, there were sightings from Maine to Washington State and south to Connecticut and California.

The term Northern Lights was first used by the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. Translated from Latin, it means "the red dawn of the north".

The Northern Lights are centered on the North Magnetic Pole. The aurora centered on the south magnetic pole is called the southern aurora or southern aurora.

But what exactly is an aurora?

Why, of course, is the wrath of angry gods and violent demons. This was a common belief until at least the early 1600s, when philosophers suggested that the aurora is the vapor exhaled from the earth. It was not until the 1700s that scientists began to notice the magnetism of the earth and carried out theoretical analysis of magnetic particles flowing through the air.

Today, scientists know that the aurora originated from the sun and the light and heat that give life to it. Subatomic particles, mainly electrons, are being released endlessly from the sun’s hydrogen atmosphere at very high speeds. This stream of highly charged particles is called the solar wind.

When these particles approach the earth, they are drawn into the earth’s magnetic field, where they collide with the atmosphere in the atmosphere. The result is the emission of light waves called photons. Collision may occur many, even countless times. Moreover, when this happens, the end result is the aurora.

The principle is somewhat similar to what happens under neon lights. When an electric current passes through a glass tube or bulb, the neon gas inside is charged; excited; and emits a dazzling light.

Solar flares are violent explosions or eruptions from the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere. The corona throws subatomic particles into space at a speed close to the speed of light. Solar storms or coronal mass ejections (CME) are more violent-releasing massive plasma clouds and their associated magnetic fields into space at speeds far exceeding 1 million miles per hour. These disturbances may have a range of more than one million miles and inject a large amount of energy into the earth’s magnetic field when it hits the earth’s magnetic field, severely disrupting the balance of magnetic particles trapped in the magnetic field, and disrupting critical infrastructure including power grids, navigation satellites, and airplanes. Radio communication.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States, on October 28, at 11:35 am Eastern Time, there was a "strong radio blackout". At that time, a CME facing the earth pushed 1 billion tons of solar materials and a magnetic field. Space. The solar plasma flies toward the earth at a speed of approximately 3 million miles per hour.

During October/November 2003, unprecedented solar flares and CME caused spectacular auroral activity around the world. Experts call this period one of the stormiest on record. The huge solar flares produced CME pointing to the earth, affecting many earth-orbiting satellites. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's geosynchronous operating environmental satellite that monitors flare activity has ceased operation for 11 minutes. Kodama, a communications satellite owned by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, was also permanently damaged. Airline flights flying over the North Pole encountered communication problems, resulting in operational disruptions. The Antarctic scientific community lasted more than 130 hours of complete communication interruption. GPS systems used for surveying and deep-sea and land drilling are also severely affected.

During the worst of the storm, astronauts on the International Space Station had to avoid high radiation levels. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to airline passengers for the first time, warning them that they might be exposed to unusually high levels of radiation. Radiation at altitudes over 25,000 feet.

Solar storms can also cause serious damage to the power grid. In August 1972, the constantly changing magnetic field caused a 230,000 volt BC Hydropower Transformer to explode. On March 13, 1989, Quebec, Canada, plunged into darkness due to a solar storm.

It is well known that the magnetic storm current generated by the Aurora can also aggravate pipeline corrosion, including the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and is believed to be the culprit for the corrosion that caused the natural gas pipeline explosion on June 4, which destroyed part of the Trans-Siberian Railway, 1989.

For centuries, the northern lights have attracted the imagination of artists, spiritualists, saints and scientists. Some people think that the aurora is a harbinger of war and disease. Others find comfort and promise in their existence.

Early Chinese legends linked the aurora and fire-breathing dragons fighting each other in the night sky. In Norse mythology, the northern lights are described as the reflection of the shield and armor of the female warrior. The Valkyrie chooses who can live and die in battle, and as the arch that guides the fallen ones to the final resting place, Valhalla. Finnish legends believe that these lights are caused by Firefox, which runs so fast on the snow that the sparks on its tail can be seen in the night sky. The Estonians believe that these lights are gorgeous carriages that carry the gods and their guests to the heavenly wedding.

Among the Native Americans, there are many legends. Some people tell of human and animal souls dancing. Other friendly giants and supernatural dwarves. The elders of Algonquin told their children that the northern lights were a reflection of the fire built by the creator Nanabozho to assure his people that he would never forget them.

Of course, for a long time to come, the magnificence of the Northern Lights will continue to inspire writers, artists, observers, medical scientists, warriors, spiritual thinkers and scientists.

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