Plain English Meaning
The northern lights — colored, moving lights in the night sky seen mostly when flying in or near northern regions.
Full Definition
A natural light display in the night sky, most often seen at high northern latitudes, caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with gases in the upper atmosphere. The display typically appears as shifting curtains, arcs, or glows of green, red, or purple light along the northern horizon.
Context Anchor
In night flying, especially in northern areas, an aurora borealis may appear near the horizon and can be part of a false horizon illusion.
Derivation
From Latin 'aurora' meaning 'dawn' (the Roman goddess of the dawn) and 'borealis' meaning 'northern,' from the Greek 'Boreas,' the god of the north wind. Literally 'northern dawn' — a fitting name for a glow that lights up the northern sky.
Why Pilots Care
It can provide unexpected light sources that interfere with night and contribute to .