Is That a Hummingbird or Just a Spectacle of Nature?

Hold onto your hats—or should I say your telescopes—because you might just get tricked into believing that you’re witnessing the largest hummingbird known to man.

But fear not, fellow nature enthusiasts! This vibrant flutterer is not sipping nectar from your garden flowers; it’s actually a dazzling display of the aurora borealis, complete with rays that look like feathered wings.

Picture this: just after sunset when the world is drenched in a rich blue, nature decides to put on a show that even the most skilled Hollywood director would envy. The aurora is so brilliantly lit that it practically screams, “Look at me!” Even the naked eye can catch a glimpse of its stunning glow during the blue hour, just before the stars start vying for attention. But beware — those iridescent reds and greens that dance across the sky are not what they seem from a distance. The hummingbird resemblance comes alive only through a sensitive camera, ready to capture every faint flicker and shimmer.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the science behind this breathtaking spectacle. Auroras are not mere whims of nature, but the result of a cosmic tango with the sun—yes, the same fiery ball of gas that sometimes leaves us sunburned after a day at the beach. When a solar explosion hurls high-energy particles toward Earth, they collide with our atmosphere, rattling nitrogen and oxygen atoms like excited party guests. The result? An ethereal light show that has left many of us gazing upward in awe.

Now, if you were to step closer, you might find that the 3D shape of this aurora is much more complex and, dare I say, unconventional than your average bird. So don’t count on it taking flight, no matter how much it might look like your favorite feathered friend!

Captured just two weeks ago above the charming village of Lyngseidt in Norway, this particular aurora is a reminder of how Mother Nature can inspire awe and confusion all at once. So next time you find yourself in the great outdoors, remember to keep your eyes peeled. You might just be treated to a display that’s way cooler than any hummingbird could ever hope to be.

In conclusion, while the idea of an enormous hummingbird sweeping through the atmosphere is quite delightful, let’s just agree to enjoy the real magic that is the aurora borealis—a breathtaking phenomenon that dances across our skies, proving that sometimes, the universe has a flair for the dramatic that even our imaginations wish we could match!
Image via NASA https://ift.tt/bWxAM8z