Natural Phenomena Observing the Aurora

¶ … Natural Phenomena

Observing the Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis phenomenon is breathtaking to watch, both aesthetically as well as conceptually and philosophically. At the simplest level, it emits color schemes that are not typically seen in the atmosphere. Second, it produces types of apparent motion that are sometimes seen in a fluid medium on earth, but rarely elsewhere, especially in the sky overhead.

My initial thoughts while watching the Aurora Borealis had to do with the monumental significance such phenomena would naturally have represented to ancient people. There is lifelikeness to the horizontal movement of the phenomenon that would suggest a consciousness to ancient observers with the capacity of human intellectual curiosity. It is almost inconceivable that ancient observers would have attributed the lightshow to anything other than some sort of Divine demonstration of power. The phenomenon also makes me more aware of the sheer range of atmospheric manifestations that are possible. In that respect, it serves as a reminder that the phenomena we see on a regular basis are only a small portion of the range of possibilities. My observation also reminded me that it is probably the case that the atmospheric phenomena of every planet large enough to have an atmosphere are unique to that planet.

However, my most overwhelming reaction to the Aurora Borealis is appreciation and awe at the human intellect for having the capacity to quantify such incredible natural phenomena in mathematical terms. It was while imagining how complex the formulas of Lorentz, Maxwell, Faraday, and other mathematicians and theoretical physicists who provided technical descriptions of the unimaginable. It was in connection with that thought that I experienced physical chills.

Observing the Mammatus Clouds

The Mammatus cloud phenomenon immediately suggests to me that I am of insignificant size on this planet, let alone in the universe. Some formations produce a near-hypnotic effect as they move across the sky; and it is possible to lose one's balance while staring at it because it overwhelms the normal visual reference points that we rely on for balance. My personal reaction to the Mammatus Clouds was more visceral than my reaction to the Aurora Borealis. The latter was undoubtedly awe-inspiring and aesthetically beautiful, but, at least in my case, my physical sensory reaction was at least partially linked to my awareness of the fact that the forces responsible are precisely understood empirically. However, my sensory response to the Mammatus Clouds was immediate.