Sunday, March 23, 2008

Aurora Borealis, Witnessed by the Crew of the Space Shuttle

"While docked and onboard the International Space Station, a STS-123 Endeavour crew member captures the glowing green beauty of the Aurora Borealis March 21, 2008. Looking northward across the Gulf of Alaska, over a low pressure area (cloud vortex), the aurora brightens the night sky. This image was taken on March 21, 2008 at 09:08:46 GMT with a 28"

 This is bloody brilliant. The Aurora Borealis....also called the Northern Lights. "Aurora" comes from the Roman goddess of dawn. Borealis from the Greek, Boreas, the north wind and bringer cold winter air. There are four Anemoi in Greek mythology: Boreas (the north wind - cold winter air), Notus (the sound wind - storms of late summer and autumn), Zephyrus (the west wind - light spring and early summer breezes) and Eurus (the east wind, not really associated with any of the Greek seasons). 

Anyways, Boreas meant "North Wind" and "Devouring One." He's strong, with a violent temper (cold winter air). He's usually shown as an old winged man, sometimes with snakes instead of feet. 

Aurora flies across the sky every morning, announcing the arrival of her brother, Sol. Her sister's name is Luna. One myth says that the morning dew is a result of her tears being shed for the death of a son. Four notable sons of hers are Boreas, Notus, Zephyrus and Eurus - also called the Anemoi or winds.

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