Aurora borealis




Aurora borealis
     Nord Lys (Northern Lights)

 Sometimes referred to as polar lights are a natural light display in the Earth's sky, predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic).
Auroras are produced when the magnetosphere is sufficiently disturbed by the solar wind that the trajectories of charged particles in both solar wind and magnetospheric plasma, mainly in the form of electrons and protons, precipitate them into the upper atmosphere due to Earth's magnetic field, where their energy is lost.
The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric constituents emits light of varying color and complexity. The form of the aurora, occurring within bands around both polar regions, is also dependent on the amount of acceleration imparted to the precipitating particles. 
Tromsø is one of the best locations to view this beautiful phenomenon.  Our phone camera doesn't do nearly the justice as some of the missionaries digital cameras do in capturing the beauty...thankfully they are willing to share with us.  You will notice and can tell which are which.  It's only the start of the season for Northern lights it should get better as day turns to night and the colder weather sets in.  It just needs to be dark and clear skies.

 our phone camera










now some the missionaries took






Taken as we walked out our front door  - others were taken from the south end of the island about a 15 minute walk from our apartment.   Tried to get away from the city lights as much as possible.













Lights from top of Tromsdalen overlooking Tromsø  - They tell us it only gets better.  Here's hoping.



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