Thursday, November 20, 2008

Aurora Borealis



Images found at National Geographic

I have to see this before I die. I hate cold weather like Americans hate not value-sizing their fast food meals, but I have always wanted to experience this natural wonder. The colors that are created against the night sky; so ethereal. My mother remembers as a wee Bohemian Bookworm I was always staring at the sky, and pointing and saying "Moon? Moon?" Yes, that makes me sound a litte "special" but shut up. I just know this would be an amazing experience for me, probably the closest I will come to a spiritual experience.

The Aurora Borealis, or northern lights occur in the northern hemisphere in Spring and Autumn months. I think I would want to visit Alaska or Finland to see this. For more scientific tidbits about this phenomenon, click here.
Also, I can't find a video clip; but here is dialogue from one of the funniest Simpsons episodes:
Principal Skinner is hosting Superintendant Chalmers for dinner:
(Skinner walks into kitchen, kitchen is on fire, he walks right back out)
Skinner: (faking a yawn) Well, that was wonderful. Good time was had by all. I'm pooped. Chalmers: Yes, I guess I should be -- (notices kitchen is on fire) Good Lord, what is happening in there?
Skinner: Aurora Borealis?
Chalmers: Aurora Borealis? At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?
Skinner: Yes.
Chalmers: May I see it?
Skinner: Oh, erm... No. (Skinner and Chalmers walk outside)
Agnes: (screaming from inside the house) Seymour! The house is on fire!
Skinner: No, mother. It's just the Northern Lights.
Agnes: (screaming) HELP! HEEEEEEEEEEELP!
End scene. Ah, good times.

4 jewels of thought:

ChocolateOrchid said...

That is absolutely beautiful!
Definitely a must-see!

Former Mushroom-Haired Child said...

It's funny that you posted this! The Aurora Borealis is on my list of things to do before I die, too. But like you, I am a total cold weather wimp. I won't even go barefoot until it's 90+ degrees (otherwise my toes get numb). Thank you for this post, and for reminding me of such beauty.

Gem said...

ChocolateOrchid: I know! Nature is amazing.

FMHC: I am the same way...I cannot handle cold. I visited NYC this past March and almost didn't make it back alive. Too, too cold for me, lol!

Admin said...

When I was living in Alberta, Canada...I saw blood red Northern Lights. They filled up the entire sky!!! I didn't know that such a thing existed, but the people in the small town where I lived told me it happens very rarely. It was INCREDIBLE! One of THE most awe-inspiring sights I've ever seen!

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