Northern Lights

Written by Pookas Kreations

The first time of the year that the northern lights in the Skylands Continent is an annual event that is celebrated with a week-long festival. Many here believe that it Koatl ce Acatl, Quetzl of the Skies awakening from his slumber in the winter. It is a beautiful display, many hold it in holy reverence, while others would love to study the science behind it. A breathtaking natural effect that captivates many.
Like most suns, they go through cycles, Aquatica's sun has a 12-year cycle. The lulls can be stronger or weaker, when it's stronger, vast amounts of solar wind bombard the atmosphere and create huge Borealis storms. This is when the Borealis is the strongest and most visible. They are low-frequency powerful undulations in electromagnetic forces, electrons that surf these waves.

Manifestation

These dancing lights are a wonder to behold, that captivate people throughout the Skylands. The solar radiation (solar wind), skitters across the upper atmosphere (ionosphere) at incredible speeds. The particles are attracted to the magnetic field and cause the atmosphere to fluoresce. Aquatica's magnetic field protects the planet from the onslaught of this radiation. Different types of atoms absorb and radiate their own unique colors.
The aurora is usually only visible at night, in complete darkness. At any other time, the sun would make it too bright to see. The full moon would be too bright as well. The movement of the solar wind affects the shape and movement of the aurora. It comes in a variety of colors from green to pink to blue and purple.

Localization

Usually, this effect is localized around the poles, but it can spread across the atmosphere farther from the poles as well.

Type

Natural