Cultural Connections

Magnetic Earth

Learn about the magnetic field that surrounds Earth, and its role in creating the northern lights.

Find out how storms on the surface of the sun are connected to the northern lights above Earth.

Explore the gases in Earth's atmosphere that cause the northern lights to glow in different colors.

Discover why the aurora forms ovals of light circling Earth's geomagnetic north and south poles.

Watch and listen as Iñupiaq Elders share stories, songs, dances and cultural knowledge about the northern lights.

Read, listen and practice key Iñupiaq vocabulary terms related to the northern lights.