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BBC Radio Scotland Extra

Brainwaves

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Pennie Latin explores the science behind the everyday.

Pennie Latin explores the science behind our everyday experiences and speaks to key scientists working in Scotland.

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Brainwaves: Series 4

Brainwaves: Series 4: Episode 6: The Northern Lights

Northern Lights, Iceland

Episode 6

Episode 6: The Northern Lights

Series 4

The Northern Lights

BBC Radio Scotland - Brainwaves, Series 4, The Northern Lights

Pennie Latin meets Dr Melanie Windridge to hear about the science of the Northern Lights.

Everyone will remember the first time they saw the Northern Lights dance across the night sky. For some it will have been a deeply moving moment, for others, time to capture a photograph. For cultures and communities going back 100's of years the aurora borealis have meant many different things, from the spirits of the dead being whisked away to the omens of the Gods. 

Whatever your belief, it is impossible to not look at this mythical dance of colours in the night sky as anything other than beautiful. Plasma scientist, Dr Melanie Windridge has devoted herself to understanding the science of the aurora borealis and recording the human connection with them. 

In this episode of Brainwaves, Melanie explains why there are different colours, how the dancing waves of the lights are a kind of earthly Thai Chi and while the aurora might be beautiful it is actually vital to protect us from violent space weather as we become a more and more tech dependant world.

BBC Radio Scotland

Pennie Latin explores the science behind everyday experiences.

Pennie Latin explores the science behind everyday experiences and speaks to key scientists working in Scotland.

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Brainwaves

Series 4

Episode 6: The Northern Lights

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