Even if you can’t see Auroras, You Can Sometimes Hear Them. Here’s What They Sound Like

Earth's most spectacular natural phenomena are the Auroras. Travelers come from all over to see the Northern Lights. Most science fans understand that the lights are formed by the solar wind interacting with the magnetosphere. Did you know they also make sounds?

Researchers thought there was a connection for over a decade. In 2004, Unto K. Laine, a professor at the University of Aalto, recorded what he thought was the Auroral sound. They sounded like a bunch of cracks and pops, but they were connected to a set of temperature changes recorded by the institute.

The data was published in a paper in 2016 and Dr. Laine was able to draw a connection. He believed that the sounds were caused by electrical discharges in the air about 70 meters off the ground. This idea was supported by the data.

The electrical discharges aren't necessarily visible, but they still happen. They happen a lot more often than there are visible causes. Even if they aren't necessarily visible, this means that the Auroras are more common than thought.

The original home of the multinational company of the same name was the location of Dr. Laine's latest recording. Dr. Laine was able to estimate when the sounds would happen with a high degree of accuracy. The 60 best sounds he recorded were all tied to the weather.

What does this data collection mean? The popping and cracking sounds recorded by Dr. Laine and many others are tied to the same processes that create the visible Auroras. The exact location and cause of the sounds are still being debated, though a dramatic temperature variant about 70 m off the ground could create an electrostatic discharge that could be picked up as a click.

According to Dr. Laine, the most surprising finding is how often these sounds occur. The sounds that he describes as akin to ice cracking or a person walking a dog are caused by the same forces that create the famous lights. It might be a good idea to bring along a recording device if you ever want to see this phenomenon. You will be able to hear the lights if you don't get a chance to see them.

You can learn more.

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