Article 5 – Northern Lights and Northern Land
Madison Gurniak
Northern lights are one of the astronomical mysteries that occur in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The lights, also known as the polar lights or aurora polaris, are natural phenomena with great significance to the planet and landscape. During an episode of northern lights, shafts or curtains of colored lights are seen in the night sky. The aurora begins after agas is released from the sun’s surface –this is referred to as coronal mass ejection (CME). When this gas strikes the earth’s surfaces and collides with the earth’s magnetic field, it causes changes to the magnetic tail region of the field (Library of Congress, n.d.). These changes result in the generation of charged particles carrying currents to the Polar Regions along the earth’s magnetic lines. The collision between the charged particles with nitrogen and oxygen in the earth’s upper atmosphere results in the dazzling auroral lights known as the northern lights.
The northern lights are not only famous for their beautiful auroral show. They also have a major implication on the land and the unprecedented risks associated with it. The invisible flow of charged particles to the polar north along the magnetic field and the magnetism that comes with it has a significant ramifications on satellites and the electrical power grid in the region. A lot happens behind the colorful lights, and scientists have invested a lot trying in uncovering the mystery behind the northern lights. It has been established that the northern lights flash causes about 100,000-ampere electric current throughout the polar region (Library of Congress, n.d.). This phenomenon causes a magnetic field that induces an electric current with a far-reaching effect on the land. For instance, this electric field is associated with increased corrosion of the Alaska oil pipeline and other materials on the affected land (Library of Congress, n.d.). It also causes an outburst of solar particles that affect electric power transmission across the region.
The northern lights are associated with adverse effects on nature and the planet in addition to disabling satellite features. This impact includes the distortion of the communication and electric grid. It leads to loss of electricity and damage to other parts of the land. The electric current that passes through the land also leads to other consequences like the destabilization of both plant and animal lives. Therefore, scientists must invest more in researching and determining the predictability of the northern lights to ensure that the impacts are managed.
Growing up in the North, I have had the pleasure of seeing the northern lights on several occasions. For this project, I knew that I wanted to incorporate paintings of northern lights into my story because they bring uniqueness to the north and attract tourists to the surrounding communities. Despite photographs, paintings, and stories of the northern lights, it is incredible to see them first-hand. The northern lights should be included on everyone’s bucket lists, as it is beautiful to watch explosions of blue and green dance in the dark sky. I made these paintings to represent how I see the northern lights. I painted one with green northern lights as inspired by what I have experienced in the north. However, as I did some further research on northern lights, I found out about all the different colors, and I wanted to incorporate them in my painting as well.
Works Cited
Science Reference Section. “What are the Northern Lights?” Library of Congress, 19, Nov. 2019, https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/item/what-are-the-northern-lights/.
O’Mahoney, Paul. “Curious Kids: What Causes the Northern Lights?” The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2019, https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-what-causes-the-northern-lights-111573.
The Poem
Once upon a midnight tropic
On that day my soul grew silent
In a kingdom full of storms
There they were dancing across the midnight stars
The northern lights painted the sky with hope we were yet to get
And illuminated the snow with dreams we were yet to achieve
Northern lights – tormentor of my dreams
I shall go up North
And witness the magical sky
Watch as the sky becomes electric
Watch as the land comes Alive
I shall go up North
And enjoy the shiny lights
That turn the pale dark sky
Into bursts of blue and green light
To have an adventure with the mystery that is the Northern Lights!
Author’s Bio: Madison Gurniak was born and raised in Thompson, Manitoba. She attends University College of the North and is currently in her second year in the Bachelor of Arts program. Once completed, she will then go on to apply for and complete the two-year Bachelor of Education After-Degree program with her goal to be an elementary school teacher. Madison’s desire to work with children began when she helped teach ballet at the local dance academy in Thompson, and through previous experiences as a respite worker where she had the opportunity to work with a young boy with autism.
Instructor’s Remarks: Having been raised up in the north, Madison Gurniak has developed her curiosity about the northern lights. This has inspired her to do research on, write about, and paint the lights. In response to the call for the special issue, “Stories about Land,” she associates the northern lights with land. She expresses her connection with land through northern lights in her prose, poem and paintings. She is truly a northern girl who has fallen in love with northern lights! (Dr. Ying Kong)