I am guessing maybe you live in Murmansk, ( Мурманск). Is that correct?
I see it is the largest city north of the Arctic Circle.
Where there are 40 days of darkness during the winter months.
And where people can see the northern lights. The Aurora Borealis.
A few questions for you, if that is where you live: Is it true the Aurora Borealis also makes sounds?
That the lights can be heard if you are far enough north? Have you heard the humming sounds of the Aurora Borealis?
Why I ask this question.
Among other types of books - I like to read travel narrative stories.
In the book, Lonely Planet Travel Anthology.
I recently read this story,
“The Whispering Lights of Lofoten” by Candace Rose Rardon.
Referring to the Lofoten Islands of Norway, north of the arctic circle.
She wrote;
" ‘If you are on the plains up in Finnmark’, they said, referring to the northernmost corner of the country, ‘then you can actually hear the sounds of the lights. It’s like a humming - the humming lights… the Sami, have known about this as long as they have been around, but two years ago, it was proven [by scientist] without reason for doubt. The reason it makes sound is the discharge of electrons into the atmosphere, but the Sami people also have their stories: that the Aurora is their ancestors , their past going over the sky, watching over them.’ "
I think that would be a comforting story for a nomadic people living in a harsh environment.
Ah, same city as Sergey then, Vladivostok.
With the forum URL of murman-fishing, I thought maybe you were in Murmansk, and it was worth asking. Thank you for replying.
Добрый вечер, Дэвид, я действительно живу в Мурманске. Это самый большой город за полярным кругом. Зимой у нас полярная ночь,когда солнце не выходит из-за горизонта,а летом - полярный день, когда солнце не заходит за горизонт.
Мне 45 лет и за это время я много раз видел северное сияние и его можно наблюдать не только зимой, но и в сентябре,октябре оно тоже бывает. Северное сияние очень красивое,оно завораживает. В городе не так красиво оно смотрится,так как огни города мешают оценить всю красоту. Но вдали от города, на чёрном небе оно восхитительно. При сильном свечении оно охватывает всё небо и становится светло как днём. Я наблюдал такое свечение на берегу Белого моря. По поводу звука северного сияния, я не слышал его даже при полной тишине, но я задал Девид Ваш вопрос одному учётом, который изучает северное сияние. Надеюсь он нам ответит.
Vladimir, thank you for the explanation.
It seems that the norther lights may make a humming sound. But not always possible to hear the sound.
24 hours of day light in the summer provides long day to go tenkara fishing.
A needed opportunity to compensate for long cold winters.
A long time friend for more than 40 years. Went to Norway during the summer 12 years ago.
To visit his wife’s grandmother. He said he got very little sleep while in Norway. He could not go to sleep with the sun still shining at 01:00. [ 1 a.m.], and still shining at 04:00 [4 a.m].
That would be something to see, and may be hear too. Especially if the lights looks the same to the naked eye as the lights look in time delay photos. But doubt I will ever make far enough north to see it.
And I prefer reading about extreme cold in books in the warmth of my house.
Last summer I read: "In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette ". About the 1879/1880s George Washington DeLong expedition, and their attempt to be the first to reach the North Pole. They had many opportunities to see the northern lights.
The expedition did not end well. After being frozen in the ice for two years, their ship was crushed by the ice. Most of the crew perished while trying to make their way to islands to the north of Siberia, which were not accurately mapped at the time.
Vladimir, thank you for asking, and answering - Действительно северное сияние издаёт звуки,но человеческий слух их слышать не может.(Indeed, the northern lights produce sounds, but the human ears can not hear them.)
However, I found several website offering a different opinion. But it seems audible sounds are very rare. And only happens under narrow conditions. Extremely strong aurora. When there is also a temperature inversion.
With the present low sunspot actively. Really strong aurora may not happen any time soon. Or happen less frequently than when sunspot activity is higher. Catching it with a temperature inversion also narrows the probability it would happen. That is - if these guys know what they are talking about. I don’t always trust the “experts” to always be right.
Maybe it is like fishing.
You have to be at the right place, with the right conditions, at the right time.
As rare as seeing a solar eclipse. With the same requirements. Right place, correct time, no clouds.
