Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis
Like many others have an app on my phone which identifies stars, constellations and planets. As the day ends, it is somehow deeply relaxing to be walking outside, staring up at a night sky covered in infinite tiny pinpricks of light whilst the dogs are snuffling around me in the grass, tails always waggling.
Usually I turn in slow circles, orientating myself by looking for the planets, the Great Bear and Orion the Hunter and then working out other constellations, stories and wonders with the help of my phone.
However it is not only the stars and moon in the night sky which have been a source of wonder during these early months of the year. Large swathes of colour from green to pink and shades of red, violet and yellow and blue have sometimes danced across the skies in the direction of due north.
These lights, now known as the Northern lights, have, over time, been called many names and explained in many heroic tales. In Old Norse mythology, the lights were a rainbow bridge, ‘Bifrost’, to the realm of gods where Odin, Thor and Loki resided. The Bifrost separated the world of the living from the world of the dead. A 12th century Viking, Snorri Sturluson, contributed to the medieval text, The Prose Edda, and explained it as follows:
“The gods made a bridge from earth to heaven, which is called Bifrost? You must have seen it. It may be that you call it the rainbow. It has three colours.”
In another Norse legend, the Vikings believed the Northern Lights were the reflection of the Valkyries’ armour as they led fallen warriors to Odin. The Valkyries rode their horses across the sky, carrying the chosen warriors to their eternal glory in Valhalla, leaving trails of light behind them.
In another story, these beautiful skies were considered a sign of good fortune for those lucky enough to see them because they were the result of the gods playing. This belief was supported by the fact that the Northern Lights often appear in times of great change, such as during the changing of the seasons, which the Vikings also believed was a time when the gods were most active.
Today, we know that the Northern Lights are actually caused by charged solar particles colliding with the Earth’s magnetic field which creates a dazzling display of light. Furthermore, as now, the sun enters an 11-year solar cycle, with periods of intense activity followed by a quiet phase.
During its active bursts, the sun releases charged particles that travel through space at speeds of around one million miles per hour. Some of the particles are captured by the Earth’s magnetic field and collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms and molecules in the atmosphere which is what creates the colours. Oxygen atoms glow green while nitrogen atoms emit purple, pink, and red. These atoms and molecules then shed the energy they gained from the collision, emitting light at various wavelengths to create colourful displays in the night sky.
The best displays tend to be further north but from time to time at Highclere, we are treated to a beautiful light spectacular. The Greeks called the north wind Boreas, but it was Galilieo Galilei (astronomer, physicist, engineer) in the time of the Renaissance who combined the word Aurora, meaning dawn with Borealis to give us words to describe what still lifts our spirits today
If the Vikings saw the Aurora Borealis as a symbol of the power and majesty of the gods, one of the best places to see nature’s light show is Norway – the coast, the sky, the islands and the cliffs…gazing at “ silent glowing northern lights.”
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52 Comments
A very comforting read that tells the story of the Northern lights in a way that’s easy to understand and a joyful read
Thank you
Those photos are stunning! Where you the photographer? The northern lights are just signs from beyond reminding us that, yes, we are loved, and that no matter what, life is beautiful. I first saw them as a child in Minnesota. Oddly, a few years ago, I went with a mission delegation to an island in the very north of Canada.. and saw nothing in the sky. I did led worship in a tiny, shack-like Anglican chapel though. Little blessings along the way.
In the southern hemisphere we have the Aurora Australis, which has been quite spectacular over the past 6 - 8 months, even in well into mainland Australia.
We don't see the Great Bear but we do have the magnificent Southern Cross. Orion is prominent in our sky, but of course is 'upside down' so his sword is pointing upwards. The 3 stars of his belt form the base of the 'saucepan' and the sword becomes the handle!
Like you I do find it relaxing 'staring up at a night sky covered in infinite tiny pinpricks of light'. And it tends to bring everyday life into perspective.
Thank you for another thought provoking post. I look forward to them each Monday.
Thank you for the stunning pictures. I learned so much about the why of the Northern Lights, too. Fairly recently they were visible in Missouri, but I live in Saint Louis and it’s just too light to see them. You have an amazing spot to see them. I’ve loved all your articles. Thanks again.
Good morning Lady C
Thanks for your lovely weekly messages. I love the explanation of the gods playing and the other romantic explanation of the Northern Lights. Thanks again for your weekly dose of fun
I’ve been to visit your lovely home and very much want to again in the future.
Eileen
Thank you for another interesting post. I so enjoy reading these musings.
Just WOW!! Last year in our PNW home of Bellingham, WA I got to see the Northern Lights for the first time in my life. It was amazing! A spiritual experience for sure
How lovely to get to view these occasionally! I live in the 'deep south' of the United States and have never had the privilege. I plan to travel to the far north some day to do so!
By the way, Microsoft warned me this morning that your site was 'unsafe'. Apparently, someone has reported you so. You might want to see if you can get that fixed.
I have never seen the lights in person but do hope to visit Norway someday and see them. Thank you for the very interesting background.
Beautiful photographs with Highclere and the Northern Lights!
Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely stunnimg!
Very interesting and beautiful pictures of Highclere at night ,thankyou
Wow, impressive night time sky colors your area has had and another informative historic Blog from you again. Thank you and continue enjoying your evening dog walkings.
Lady Carnarvon,
You have created a beautiful and most colorful story for readers this morning! Your history lesson is so helpful for those of us who have never seen the Aurora Borealis. Thank you!
Martha G.
Beautiful pictures! The lovely colors make Highclere look magical.
Good evening milady,
Wonderful articule, i loved it.
Lovely week for you .Cheers.
Vila Alemã
Rio Claro- SP
Brazil.
I live in Wisconsin and we've had quite the year for Northern Lights. And I learned something very important - just because you may not be seeing them with the naked eye, look to the skies through your iPhone camera and voila! What fun that was to discover!
Thank you for explaining the Aurora Borealis history and cause and effect so eloquently. The pictures are amazing of the castle.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for the informative and illuminating story. I shall remember it when traveling in Norway later this year. Keep up the great work. PS-the castle makes a lovely foreground for the photos of the heavens.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday's blog and the brief astronomy lesson.
I did not know about the app. What is its name, and is it available in the Google Play Store?
How fortunate you are to occasionally be able to see the Borealis. The lights from the City of Detroit put a damper on our viewing.
Until next week, happy star gazing.
Perpetua Crawford
Thank you
I love my evening walks
They are just amazing
I would like to as well - I enjoy Viking cruises and they have some adventures on offer - best seen at sea
I will - am doing a revamp now!
I love the idea of a bridge
I was looking at Orion last night
And Paul Mac- he is a great ADC for me- we meet up in the evening for walks
You are so fortunate to have such a wonderous sight. I sadly, live too far in the South of the USA to see these wonders of the night sky. Someday, if I am very lucky. I will. I just started your book about Lady Almina.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Northern Montana has had two or three aurora showings this late winter. The last one my daughter was monitoring on her computer so we knew when to check the sky. After dark we drove to an open area near us (I live in a forest with mountain ranges on east and west - not good for viewing!). My daughter and I and her grown daughter all stood out in a large field waiting......Soon the sky turned pink and aqua and we could still see the stars - even the big dipper - through it all. It did show up even better through my phone camera. I have those photos and love reviewing them in awe. Thank you for sharing your show!
It sounds beautiful!
Lovely picture of aurora boreal is did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend and lam fan of Downton Abbey and highcelere castle
Thank you for the stunning photographs of the Aurora Borealis over Highclere. Something that is on my “wish list” of natural wonders to see. I think it’s such a beautiful phenomenon and so exhilarating to those who have had the good fortune of seeing it. Sadly I live in the Southern Hemisphere, but we do have the equally beautiful Aurora Australia. It has eluded me when visiting our South Island, but one day hopefully …………..
Lady Carnarvon,
Such a fascinating post with stunning photos! As a fiction writer, I especially like your Viking mythological explanations over the scientific ones. Thank you for another informative post from Highclere.
I rather like the dreams and imagination of our ancestors
I would really like to see them - I think to go viking in Norway would be a huge treat
Lady Carnarvon,
Such beautiful pictures of the sky at Highclere!
My husband was stationed in North Dakota, and we had the thrill of seeing the Northern Lights.
Thank you for the reminder of 40+ years ago.
Have a wonderful day.
Thank you - and you too
Do you live in London sometimes? Have you been to Belgravia?
Lady Carnarvon, I love your Blog!
Now, I too, want to go on a Viking Cruise in Norway and see the Aurora Borealis. My husband and I have traveled from the USA, the state of Virginia, twice to visit Highclere. Our last visit was two years ago in May 2023. We attended one of your presentations on The Earl and the Pharaoh. I was able to speak with you. It was such an enjoyable afternoon, ending with Tea for Two! I want to attend at Christmas at Highclere this year. Waiting to hear via Friends of Highclere invitation. Perhaps I will have the pleasure of seeing you again.
Sincerely, Anita Churchill
We just live here - but i went to school in London ..
I look forward to seeing you here - Wonderful and hope to hear about your cruise at some point- I would like to go too, I was looking at their website
Your writings are a beautiful gift. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you for reading !
Have you listened to "Dawn" from the movie "Pride and Prejudice" ? What do you think of and feel when you listen to it? When I listened to it I had a Déjà vu moment. It would love to see the aurora borealis while listening to it.
Discovering your blog has been a treat in a dreary winter's day.
Thank you for taking the time to share your insights.
It is like peeking into another world.
Combining science with “myth”, we can still glory in the the Valkyries riding wildly with their heroic friends, shields gleaming, reflecting back what we now call atoms and molecules, to delight and comfort our hearts as we recall our own Lost Warriors and anticipate meeting again one day among all the mysteries of the sky. To me, the Valkyries shields explanation is the best.
Thanks for sharing that!
Thank you
I like that explanation!
I use that song on Instagram rather a lot!!!
I'm glad there's someone else who sees the Aurora Australis & the Southern Cross. My view is from Southern New Zealand
Absolutely Fabulous! Thanku Lady Carnarvon