If you follow the link in this post at Common Sense and Wonder I promise you will not be disappointed.

If you appreciate Astronomy..don’t miss it.

~J~ adds: I uploaded this photo of Aurora over Alaska because it didn’t have a copyright on it, and wanted you to get a sense of what’s in store if you visit the site.

Aurora Over Alaska

Credit: Joshua Strang, USAF, Wikipedia

Explanation: Higher than the highest mountain, higher than the highest airplane, lies the realm of the aurora. Aurora rarely reach below 60 kilometers, and can range up to 1000 kilometers. Aurora light results from solar shockwave causing energetic electrons and protons to striking molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. Frequently, when viewed from space, a complete aurora will appear as a circle around one of the Earth’s magnetic poles. The above digitally enhanced photograph was taken in 2005 January shows a spectacular aurora borealis above the frozen landscape of Bear Lake, Alaska, USA. The above image was voted Wikipedia Commons Picture of the Year for 2006.

From Tonto’s Comment:

An Eskimo Legend

Northern Lights - are believed to be the torches held in the hands of Spirits seeking the souls of those who have just died, to lead them over the abyss terminating the edge of the world. A narrow pathway leads across it to the land of brightness and plenty, where disease and pain are no more, and where food of all kinds is already in abundance. To this place none but the dead and the Raven can go. When the Spirits wish to communicate with the people of the Earth, they make a whistling noise, and the Earth people answer only in a whispering tone.

The Eskimo say that they are able to call the Aurora and converse with it. They send messages to the dead through these Spirits.

Written by Sue

7 Responses to “Thanks NASA”

1. SusieQ says:

   April 19, 2007 at 12:14 am

   Wow! Just wow! And this all came about randomly? [-(
2. Sue says:

   April 19, 2007 at 1:05 am

   Thanks J. Makes a hugh difference!
3. ~J~ says:

   April 19, 2007 at 2:10 am

   Sue,

   I have spent over an hour looking at the photographs of what is in our skies, and I am fascinated. Some are beautiful yet scary and some are plain and I wouldn’t want to be there, but all are awe-inspiring.

   Thank you for pointing us to this site. I’ve seen a lot of beauty tonight but I still think Mother Earth is the most beautiful.

   About 8 years ago I had the privilege of being at Cape Canaveral to watch a space craft launch at night. What a spectacular site!

   Again, thank you for pointing us in that direction.
4. Tonto says:

   April 19, 2007 at 2:45 pm

   An Eskimo Legend
   Northern Lights - are believed to be the torches held in the hands of Spirits seeking the souls of those who have just died, to lead them over the abyss terminating the edge of the world. A narrow pathway leads across it to the land of brightness and plenty, where disease and pain are no more, and where food of all kinds is already in abundance. To this place none but the dead and the Raven can go. When the Spirits wish to communicate with the people of the Earth, they make a whistling noise, and the Earth people answer only in a whispering tone. The Eskimo say that they are able to call the Aurora and converse with it. They send messages to the dead through these Spirits.
5. Sue says:

   April 19, 2007 at 2:53 pm

   Tonto: Why not move that comment up into the piece with a link to that picture. That is a wonderful description!
6. Tonto says:

   April 19, 2007 at 3:20 pm

   I Wouldn’t dream of stepping on you’re post [-x
7. Sue says:

   April 19, 2007 at 3:37 pm

   I would never consider it a step if it was an improvement on a topic like this. Your insight and information on topics many of us know little about is one of the reasons I enjoy my first visit each day to the site. My family is gaining a first hand education on the Native American culture and stories..so much better than any book.