Dance of the Green Dragon

The aurora borealis or northern lights are an elusive and mysterious natural phenomenon found in the polar regions of the north. They are caused by solar winds creating disturbances in the magnetosphere, with resulting displays of vibrant coloured light in the form of dancing arcs, coronas or, sometimes, just a glow. They are elusive because you need a rare combination of clear skies and geomagnetic activity. These auroras, above the Kirkjufell in Iceland, were my first – and I’ll never forget them.