Aurora

How I wish I could see an aurora, those bands of magical colored light that I have heard about and seen pictures of, and which sweep across the far northern skies in miraculous displays of electrical pomp and pageantry. The word “electricity” seems too common for such fantastic, unearthly and heavenly visitations. In the northern hemistphere it is the borealis and in the soutnern hemisphere, the australis. I hadn’t known that before. I thought they were all called Aurora Borealis. I like the way the word flow in even syllables.

It is a term that has intrigued me since childhood. I imagine one reason is because of the name of the area on the West Bank of New Orleans where I grew up. It was called, curiously, Aurora Gardens. What a lofty and yet, enchanting name. I always wondered about it. It became mundane and prosaic after a while, seeing the “Aurora Gardens” bus come down my street numerous times each day. And yet, in all that big city of unusual street and thus bus names, I thought of ours as special. We came from a place apart. A garden spot of great live oak trees overhanging the street, a green and leafy suburb away from the noxious hustle and bustle of the rest of New Orleans, way across the wide gulf of the Mississippi River.

I never learned how my neighborhood came to be called “Aurora Gardens.” I think someone just may have been in love with those waving bands of green and pink light. Not earthbound soul at all who dreamed up that name.

Aurora Borealis

Circle, Alaska

great sites – I’ve seen them in Michigan about 4 or 5 times – One of those times was in a sleeping bag on the top of a hill with a college friend – a night to be remembered in more ways than one. Thanks for the reminder.

I would like to see them too – television nor photos give them the justice due. I’ve bookmarked the links to read as time permits. Thanks!

Great photos! Yes this aurora must be a very special thing to see. We have it in northern Norway, not in my part.

I am with you, Oswego! I do hope to get to see them sometime in my life. My husband and I have often talked of someday taking a trip to Alaska. It would be wonderful to see them! You are also very correct of how different the West Bank is over the city…much like Slidell is but our area had only a boring name of Avery Estates… Wonderful entry as always.

Aurora is also a goddess of dawn. Perhaps they were thinking of that when they named it.

Aurora…..the dawn. I once wrote a poem about one of my relatives who had died and gave her the name Aurora….for she had reached a new dawn. I may prefer the moonlight and thousands of stars, which spark the romance in my soul, but with Aurora anew comes hope….always.

Wow! They look a bit like rainbows gone mad….

It is one of my deepest longings: to see the Northern Lights. Every single time I learn that the sun’s acting up and we’ll be able to see the lights, the Northwest weather won’t cooperate. It’s been cloudy or raining without fail. Sigh….someday.

I saw The Northern Lights twice,flashing bands of white, not colors though. Still, so very beautiful and awe inspiring & unusual. Kind of up there with the rainbow in my book. Lovely entry.

Thanks for posting the sites~They make my heart beat faster! I think someone said the Northern Lights may be visible here in New England on Sunday night…You’ve reminded me to look into it. There is a lovely picture book for children called The Fiddler of the Northern Lights by Natalie Kinsey Warnock, lovely illustrations by Leslie Bowman.Your Aurora Gardens sounds lovely.

The closest I ever came was to watch Ian Wright on Lonely Planet exclaim how beautiful they are. I have never been far north enough to witness them, but there’s long days ahead… you never know.

I have thirty states behind me, plus DC, but have Alaska to come. One day, one day.

They’re a rarity at our latitude, I’m afraid. Apparently there was a big solar flare sometime in the last year that caused one to be visible in the entire U.S. When I was a kid in Wisconsin we saw them once in a while. Imagine it was like for the early polar explorers, alone, uncertain, amidst that unearthly beauty. Must have been sublime.

I’ve only seen aurora borealis once in my life – but it was such a wonderful experience. I feel very fortunate to have seen it.

Bramble

October 23, 2001

One night, several years ago, Troy said to come outside and look! It was bone chilling cold but it was worth it! It was one of the most awe inspiring sights that I have ever seen.

These spectacles are so *unearthly* that I wondered at that last one if it was a scene from the “X-Files”! (The picture with the car and the bare trees.) Seriously, thanks for posting sites with lovely pics. I live near where quieted lives, & used to vacation all the time in near Canada, in upper New York, but have never seen this magical phenomenon. 🙁 But I HAVE seen St. Elmo’s Fire! [April Foo

You should be writing a columne for a news paper, if you aren’t already. You writing is tight, concise, readable and well responded to as proof by your fan base here at open diary. Lady A

wanderlust (2)

November 3, 2001

I have seen the glorious lights & thank you so much for sharing these sites here. I have been very home sick, seeing these stirs many happy memories. I’ve been to Circle, also Whitehorse & a number of other sites where photos were taken. Email me your snail mail address & I will send you a little surprise. :^) Peace & joyful nights to you my friend.

yes

Edelweis

October 18, 2002

This is one of the nature wonders that always fascinated me. I traveled to Norway but never saw it. One has to go up far north to see it. I admired the pictures! Beautiful! Thanks dear friend,

Auroras are a rare occurrence here, but I can recall seeing them at least once. Such a beautiful sight!