From wonder into wonder existence opens. (Lao Tzu, philosopher)
The sight filled the northern sky; the immensity of it was scarcely conceivable. As if from Heaven itself, great curtains of delicate light hung and trembled. Pale green and rose-pink, and as transparent as the most fragile fabric, and at the bottom edge a profound fiery crimson like the fires of Hell, they swung and shimmered loosely with more grace than the most skillful dancer. (Philip Pullman, “The Golden Compass”)
The northern cheek of the heavens,
By a sudden glory kissed,
Blushed to the tint of roses,
And hid in an amber mist,
And through the northern pathway,
Trailing her robe of flame,
The queenly Borealis
In her dazzling beauty came!
(May Riley Smith, “Aurora Borealis”)O’er all the widespread northern skies,
How glows and waves that heavenly light,
Where dome, and arch, and column rise
Magnificently bright!
(Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch, “The Aurora Borealis”)I have been as sincere a worshipper of Aurora as the Greeks. (Henry David Thoreau, author-poet-philosopher)
I’ve stood outside my house in Montana looking at the northern lights… crackling against the night sky. To me, that’s magic. (Christopher Paolini, author)
Frank, thank you. You always share thoughts and images on the most incredible topics, always making me wonder and think. We do live in a beautiful world!
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Patti,
Oh yes … such a beautiful world and so much beauty to see … most of which each of us will never see.
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Magic!
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Colline,
Magic, awe wonder, beauty are just a few of fitting one-word descriptions for the Aurora.
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The Northern Lights are incredible no matter where they are seen! (Even though I’ve only seen them in photos and videos) 🙂
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Merril,
Thankfully to video services as YouTube, we can enjoy many wonders that we may not ever see in our lifetime … and photos, too.
BTW … because you are a historian, in the previous post I mentioned Voice of America … thought it would be something that could be of interest to you … but no pressure/obligation for reading.
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I know of Voice of America, of course. When I get a chance, I’ll look back at the article.
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No rush … just one that I thought would catch your interest.
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I wish we could see them regularly this far south. Each day I check a site from Yellowknife Canada. Images every 30 seconds or so are stitched into a replay of the night in a 4 to 5 minute movie. Now the moon is so bright it hides the aurora. But it is worth checking. http://aurora.phys.ucalgary.ca/summary_plots/slr-rt/yknf/yknf_latest_720p.mp4
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Jim,
That’s some site, thus I’ll have to look when the moon isn’t so dominate. Thanks for the link … How was the birthday party?
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Lots of fun. Fifteen people standing around the food and drink can sure make a lot of noise with their talk and laughter. It is a good sound.
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Absolutely … cheers to that .. and glad you enjoyed your day.
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Another beautiful film clip, Frank. Thanks. But I am confused about how often the Greeks saw the Aurora! Was Thoreau projecting?
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Elyse,
The Greek saw Aurora every day … but not the Aurora in this post. Oh well
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Oh I should have remembered that … I was fascinated by Greek mythology as a kid. I loved the stories.
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I just watched this with my boys. Li’l D was a little disturbed by the lights. Upon the video’s conclusion, Littler J requested several times, “More sky! More sky!” I suppose that’ means we’re about to watch it again.
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Deborah,
Ah ha … Littler J is one who wonders … excellent! Here’s two things for you.
Under Recent Posts at top of the sidebar … a) Lights of Norway – another excellent video of the Aurora from a different place with different music … b) then go to Opinions in the Shorts 291 for the opening video, which will make you and the kids laugh!
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That was beautiful, Frank. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂 The northern lights are something I hope to see someday.
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Robin,
Me too … and hopefully we will. Can’t imagine what it must be like to take a trip with hopes of seeing the lights, and then not. What a downer that would be!
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I have two dreams to visit, one is Himalayas and the other one is Alaska… but they will never be true… Alaskan sky should be so beautiful, so beautiful. Thank you dear Frank, love, nia
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Nia,
I recall that Alaska is one of your dreams. Thankfully the sites as YouTube allows each of us an opportunity to virtually travel. Thanks for taking a bit of the journey here.
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Thanks for this, Frank – I love the Northern Lights. We get to see them in the UK from time to time, although I’ve yet to see them myself. One day…
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Tom,
Maybe the northern part of Scotland would increase the odds of you seeing the lights. Good luck! … and I hope you get to see them!
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You are definitely a renaissance man Frank. This was terrific.
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John,
So happy to find gems to readers to explore on the weekend.
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Great job.
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Truly wonderful!
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Prior,
Welcome first-time commenter … sorry about my delayed response. ,,, oh well … Isn’t it Yvette? (I’m going out on a limb). I like to dedicate Saturday to the sense of wonder through a person, place, or thing. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Yes that is my name – but I usually go by prior – 😉 and thx for the warm welcome – have a nice week
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I’m amazed I pulled that out of thin air.
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That is pretty amazing – most folks think Yvonne – 👻
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Mesmerizing isn’t it?!!!! 🙂
A beautiful Sunday to you, my friend. 🙂
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Marina,
I remember how much you enjoyed last week’s Aurora, thus knew you would appreciate a second dose.
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🙂
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You make me wonder!
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EP,
Glad this video delivered a spark of wonder to you.
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I adora Aurora! TY Frank! … and what a great name for a girl! 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful, Frank. There is so much beauty in this world! The lights are breathtaking!
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Debra,
So much beauty .. and no way one person can see it all. … and the lights are one of the spectacles of creation that I stand in awe.
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I’ve never seen the Northern Lights, Frank. It’s on my bucket list!
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Amy,
Oh yes, so many of us would want to see them. Can you imagine if you went on a trip with hopes of seeing them, then not! Bummer!!!!
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That would be a bummer! But we can’t control these things. What can you do?
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I have never seen the The Aurora Borealis Frank in real life.. I would imagine its something one would never forget.. lovely video.. 🙂 and I hope you are well and enjoying a lovely new week 🙂
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Sue,
I haven’t seen it either .. and would love to. Then again, one side of wonders the disappointment aspect of the occasion because I don’t think would sees that time-lapse captures. Fortunately, the glories of YouTube allows us to see the many wonders of the world!
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Yes you are right there Frank.. we do get the benefit of time lapse, where as one colour sitting there might not seem so impressive 🙂
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Precisely … glad you took it as I meant.
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🙂
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