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Rediff.com  » News » STUNNING Northern Lights dazzle across the sky

STUNNING Northern Lights dazzle across the sky

October 08, 2014 12:07 IST
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As the name suggests, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) are especially related to polar regions, and occur in a 2,500 km radius centered on the magnetic north pole.

A tourist takes photos of an over the Bals-Fiord north of the Arctic Circle, near the village of Mestervik. All photographs: Yannis Behrakis/Reuters

Interestingly, the earth isn’t the only planet with aurora. Jupiter and Saturn have auroral ovals on both hemispheres. Astronomers have also spotted aurora on Uranus and Neptune.

A commercial jetliner flies under the Aurora Borealis over a mountain camp north of the Arctic Circle, near the Mestervik.

Aircraft crews on transpolar flights and astronauts experience higher doses of radiation during periods of intense solar activity.

Vehicles drive by as a display of Aurora Borealis is seen north of the Arctic Circle, over Mestervik village.

The lights also produce a strange sound -- similar to the sound of applause. 

An Aurora Borealis is seen at the Bals-Fiord north of the Arctic Circle, near Mestervik.

In some areas, such as Alaska or Greenland, they may be visible most nights of the year. They occur at any time of the day, but can’t bee seen with the naked eye unless it’s dark.

Aurora Borealis is seen at the Bals-Fiord north of the Arctic Circle, near Mestervik.

The earliest known account of northern lights appears to be from a Babylonian clay tablet from observations made by the official astronomers of King Nebuchadnezzar II, 568/567 BC.

An Aurora Borealis is seen over a mountain camp north of the Arctic Circle.
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