Northern Lights
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights (pronounced: /ˈnɔːrðən laɪts/), also known as the Aurora Borealis (pronounced: /ɔːˈroʊrə bɔːriˈælɪs/), is a natural light display predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic.
Etymology
The term "Northern Lights" comes from the location where these lights are most commonly seen, in the northern hemisphere. The term "Aurora Borealis" is derived from the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek term for the north wind, Boreas.
Related Terms
- Aurora: A natural electrical phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, usually near the northern or southern magnetic pole.
- Aurora Australis: The southern counterpart to the Aurora Borealis, visible from high southern latitudes in Antarctica, South America, New Zealand, and Australia.
- Geomagnetic Storm: A temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave and/or cloud of magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field.
- Solar Wind: The stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the Sun, called the corona.
Medical Relevance
While the Northern Lights themselves do not have direct medical implications, the geomagnetic storms that cause them can potentially affect human health. Some studies suggest a correlation between geomagnetic storms and increased rates of heart attacks and strokes. However, more research is needed to fully understand these potential connections.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Northern Lights
- Wikipedia's article - Northern Lights
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