The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a shimmering natural phenomenon of rare beauty and mystery. Occurring mostly at high latitudes in the polar, arctic and subarctic regions, it is the result of solar wind plasma collisions with oxygen and nitrogen atoms within the earth’s magnetic field, resulting in an energy release of photons. The colours of the aurora range from pearly white, golden yellow and fluorescent green, the most common, to brownish- red, vivid red and pure blue, the rarest of all. Colours vary according to altitude and to the distribution and state of the atmospheric atoms, and the frequency and intensity of the aurora varies with the intensity of the solar cycle. Often appearing as curtains of coloured light, the aurora evolves and changes constantly. The resulting “light show” may last minutes or hours. Despite our scientific understanding of the aurora, it is easy to share the sense of awe that the ancients must have felt at its remarkable appearance.
Northern Sky
$6.95
Size: 5″ x 7″
Artist: Errol Brimacombe
A landscape painter of note in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, Errol Brimacombe has painted professionally since 1970. He is known especially for his fine watercolours and vibrant oils expressing many Western Canadian themes, especially prairie scenes, loose impressions of cowboys and horses, west coast shorelines, fishing scenes and boats, majestic mountains, florals and northern lights images. His paintings convey a feeling of tranquility and serenity which is identifiably his own. A prolific artist, producing between 100 and 150 paintings a year, Errol is represented in many private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Britain, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, and his work surfaces frequently at reputable fine art auctions. Able to work at speed, Errol is pleased to accept commissions and volume corporate orders.
