The aurora polaris, also known as the northern lights, is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the polar regions of the Earth. It is a beautiful and awe-inspiring display of lights that can be seen in the night sky. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of aurora polaris.
Definitions
The aurora polaris is a natural light display that occurs in the polar regions of the Earth. It is caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth’s magnetic field. The charged particles collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to emit light.
Origin
The aurora polaris has been observed for thousands of years, and it has been the subject of many myths and legends. The ancient Greeks believed that the aurora was a sign from the gods, while the Inuit people of the Arctic believed that the aurora was the spirits of their ancestors.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the aurora polaris is “a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet’s magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet’s magnetic field lines.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the aurora polaris as “a natural electrical phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, usually near the northern or southern magnetic pole.”
Associations
The aurora polaris is associated with the polar regions of the Earth, particularly the Arctic and Antarctic. It is also associated with the winter months, as the longer nights provide more opportunities to observe the phenomenon.
Synonyms
The aurora polaris is also known as the northern lights, aurora borealis (in the northern hemisphere), and aurora australis (in the southern hemisphere).
Antonyms
There are no antonyms for aurora polaris, as it is a natural phenomenon.
The same root words
The word “aurora” comes from the Latin word for “dawn,” while “polaris” comes from the Latin word for “pole.” Both words are related to the location of the phenomenon in the polar regions of the Earth.
Example Sentences
- The aurora polaris was particularly bright last night.
- Many people travel to the Arctic to see the northern lights.
- The aurora polaris is caused by the interaction of charged particles with the Earth’s magnetic field.