The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, has been explained in fables and mythologies throughout history. In medieval times, the lights were seen as harbingers of disaster and for North America's Inuit they were the spirits of the animals they hunted. But in the magic of the auroras lies scientific explanation. Earth's geomagnetic regions are cloaked in permanent ovals of solar wind heavy with electrons. As these charged particles collide with gaseous particles in the atmosphere waves of color light up the polar skies. Those of us lucky enough to witness an aurora see a stunning display of fluttering curtains, veils and bands alive with color and, some believe, crackles of sound. Aurora 2012 captures twelve moments of auroral activity for your enjoyment, each ethereally beautiful and never to be repeated.
