Whispers from the Sky
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are known for their mesmerizing light displays in the polar skies, but many people don’t know they also make sounds. Reports of these mysterious noises date back centuries, with witnesses describing faint crackles, pops, or a whooshing sound in the night.
First Documented by Finnish Folklore
Finnish folklore was among the first to mention these sounds, calling them “fox fires,” with legends suggesting the lights were caused by a mythical fox sweeping its tail across the snow. Scientific observations of the sounds, however, didn’t gain attention until the 20th century.
Science Catches Up
Researchers initially dismissed the noises as myths, claiming the aurora’s altitude was too high for sounds to be heard on Earth. In 2012, Finnish scientists finally recorded the sounds using special audio equipment, confirming the phenomenon exists.
The Source of the Sounds
The study revealed that these sounds likely occur about 230 feet (70 meters) above ground level. The noises are believed to be caused by atmospheric electric charges created by the aurora’s interaction with Earth’s magnetic field.
The Northern Lights’ Mysterious Sounds 🔊
Whispers from the Sky
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are known for their mesmerizing light displays in the polar skies, but many people don’t know they also make sounds. Reports of these mysterious noises date back centuries,… pic.twitter.com/M9fhktPYOh— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 11, 2024