Chapter 9: The Pioneers of Aurora Science
The Early Days of Aurora Research
For centuries, the Northern and Southern Lights remained a mystery, inspiring myths, legends, and speculation. Early scholars attempted to explain the phenomenon, but without knowledge of space weather, their theories were often incorrect.
The first recorded observations of Auroras date back thousands of years:
✔ 200 BC – China – Ancient astronomers described “red vapours” in the night sky.
✔ 50 AD – Rome – The philosopher Seneca wrote about mysterious sky lights in Naturales Quaestiones.
However, it wasn’t until the 17th and 18th centuries that European scientists began systematically documenting Auroras in an effort to understand their cause.
Early Theories: What Scientists Once Believed
Before the discovery of solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere, scientists debated various explanations for the Northern Lights. Some widely accepted theories included:
🔸 Auroras were reflections of sunlight off Arctic ice – A common belief in the 1600s, later disproven.
🔸 Auroras were “combustible air” in the upper atmosphere – Proposed by Edmund Halley (1716).
🔸 Electricity in the air generated Auroras, similar to lightning – A common belief in the 18th century.
🔸 Auroras were purely a weather-related phenomenon – Many assumed they were linked to meteorological conditions.
It wasn’t until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that pioneering scientists like Sofus Tromholt, Kristian Birkeland, and Sydney Chapman uncovered the true connection between Auroras, solar wind, and Earth’s magnetic field.
Sofus Tromholt (1851–1896) – Aurora Photography & Sámi Cultural Heritage
Danish scientist Sofus Tromholt was one of the earliest researchers to conduct long-term Aurora studies and played a crucial role in establishing one of the first dedicated Aurora observatories.
🏔 Key Contributions:
✔ Built an Aurora research station in Kautokeino, Norway (1882–1883) as part of the First International Polar Year.
✔ Conducted detailed observations of the Aurora’s shape, motion, and frequency.
✔ Travelled to Iceland and Lapland to study how Auroras varied by location.
✔ Created some of the earliest accurate maps of Auroral activity.
✔ Photographed the Aurora, making some of the earliest known images of the phenomenon.
📖 Tromholt’s Book: Under the Rays of the Aurora Borealis
Tromholt published a seminal book in 1885, describing his Aurora research and life among the Sámi people. It provided:
✔ Scientific observations of Auroras.
✔ Ethnographic accounts of Sámi culture, language, and traditions.
✔ Early Aurora photographs.
🌍 UNESCO Heritage Recognition
Tromholt’s photographic collection of the Sámi people is now part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, ensuring its historical and cultural preservation.
📌 Did You Know? Tromholt was among the first to suggest that Auroras followed predictable cycles, an idea later confirmed by modern space weather science.
Kristian Birkeland (1867–1917) – The Father of Aurora Science
Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland was the first to propose that Auroras were caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.
🔬 Key Contributions:
✔ Developed the first scientific model of the Aurora Borealis.
✔ Conducted the Terrella Experiment, using a magnetised globe in a vacuum chamber to simulate Aurora activity.
✔ Discovered that electrons from solar storms travel along magnetic field lines, creating Auroras.
📌 [IMAGE Placeholder] – Birkeland’s Terrella Experiment & Aurora Simulation
Although met with scepticism at the time, his theories were later confirmed by satellite data.
The Alta Expedition – Science at a Deadly Cost
In 1899, Birkeland established a remote research station on Haldetoppen Mountain (904m) in Alta, Norway. This was one of the earliest high-altitude observatories dedicated to Aurora research.
🌍 The Harsh Reality of Arctic Science
✔ The expedition faced extreme Arctic storms, isolation, and life-threatening conditions.
✔ Equipment had to be hauled up the mountain manually—a gruelling and dangerous task.
✔ The station was abandoned in 1900 due to harsh conditions and fatalities among the team.
📌 Did You Know? The expedition’s dangers were fatal—lives were lost in the pursuit of knowledge.
The Sámi People: The Unsung Heroes of Aurora Research
Both Tromholt and Birkeland relied on the Sámi for survival, logistics, and knowledge in the Arctic.
How the Sámi Helped Aurora Research:
✔ Transported scientific equipment & supplies – Using reindeer sledges, they hauled heavy instruments up mountains and across frozen tundra.
✔ Guided researchers safely through Arctic conditions – Sámi navigators ensured scientists didn’t perish in the wilderness.
✔ Provided food, shelter & survival expertise – Scientists relied on Sámi communities for warmth, reindeer meat, and Arctic survival skills.
✔ Helped scientists understand the Arctic environment – Their deep knowledge of weather patterns and seasonal changes informed Aurora research.
📌 Did You Know? Without Sámi assistance, knowledge, and labour, Tromholt and Birkeland’s research would have been impossible.
🌍 Recognising Indigenous Contributions
The Sámi were not merely helpers—they were scientific enablers, ensuring the success of some of the most groundbreaking Aurora research in history.
Other Pioneers of Aurora Science
📷 Carl Størmer (1874–1957) – The First Aurora Photographer
✔ Captured over 16,000 photographs of the Northern Lights.
✔ Measured Aurora altitude, calculating that most occur between 80–300 km.
✔ Developed techniques for analysing Auroral motion and structure.
Women in Aurora Science
👩🔬 Marie Asp (1893–1945) – Birkeland’s Assistant & Early Aurora Scientist
✔ Assisted in processing data from the Terrella experiment.
✔ One of the first women in space weather research.
📡 Noora Partamies (Present) – Modern Aurora Researcher
✔ Researches how coronal holes and solar storms affect Auroras.
✔ Works with the EISCAT radar system to study real-time auroral activity.
The Future of Aurora Science
Emerging AI, CubeSats, and next-gen space missions are pushing Aurora forecasting to new heights.
🚀 The Next Great Discovery Could Be Just Around the Corner.
Final Thoughts
Aurora science is built on a legacy of risk, adventure, and discovery. From Tromholt’s photography to Birkeland’s deadly expedition, scientists and Indigenous peoples alike have contributed to what we know today.
The next time you see the Northern Lights, remember the pioneers and Indigenous guides who made understanding them possible. 🌌✨
