The beautiful aurorae, or northern lights, are the stuff of legends. The
ancient stories of the Sami people warn that if you mock the lights they
will seize you, and their mythical appeal continues to capture the
hearts and imagination of people across the globe.
Aurora explores the visual beauty, ancient myths and science of the
northern lights and challenges the popular theory of how the lights are
formed. Plasma physicist Melanie Windridge explains this extraordinary
and evocative phenomenon, a scientific marvel unlike any other in which
the powers of astronomy, geology, magnetism and atomic physics combine
to create one of the wonders of the natural world.
As Melanie travels in search of the perfect aurora, she uncovers the
scientific realities of this plasmic phenomenon full of natural power.
She combines the science behind the lights with a fascinating travelogue
as she pursues the aurora across the northern hemisphere - from the
Arctic Circle to Scotland.