Northern Lights: How the Northern Lights Captivated People in the 18th Century

Since May this year, the Northern Lights have been visible further south than usual over the UK, causing surprise and fascination. Social media is abuzz with images of skies glowing with green, pink and red light.

We now know that these lights occur during magnetic storms. This is when charged subatomic particles, primarily electrons, collide with Earth’s atmosphere. These particles are constantly emitted by the sun. However, the frequency and intensity of aurora increases during periods of high solar activity.

The sight itself has long inspired cultural and spiritual interpretations. Centuries ago, people often considered the aurora borealis to be a mysterious and eerie phenomenon.

Between the 14th and 19th centuries, a period known as the “Little Ice Age,” the weather and climate of the North Atlantic was generally colder than it is today. Historical and literary sources from Wales reveal much about the variations in climate during this period. And these poems, songs, religious texts and personal diaries can also tell us a lot about attitudes towards natural phenomena like the aurora borealis.

In a time when there was little artificial light in the night sky, the aurora borealis was a special sight. For many, it appeared as a divine sign.

Poet Robert Owen captured its awe in 1749. He described the aurora as a “rhyfeddod hynod” (strange wonder) and “arwyddion crifion crist” (strong sign of Christ). His words reflect his respect for these lights, which symbolize mystery and divine power.

People often projected spiritual or political significance onto natural events, especially during times of upheaval or uncertainty. For example, in 1745, the Northern Lights occurred at the same time as the Jacobite Rebellion. This was a period of political tension between the Protestant monarchy and the exiled Catholic Stuart supporters. Owen’s writings reflect the belief that the light is a warning to protect the Protestant faith.

Balladeer Hugh Jones interpreted the aurora borealis during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) as a sacred reminder that England should uphold its Protestant faith and make peace with America. .

As the 18th century progressed, scientific thinking began to challenge traditional interpretations of natural phenomena such as the aurora borealis. Pantyseline religious leader and author William Williams, best known for his hymn “Thou Great Savior, Lead Me,” wrote a 1774 treatise on the Northern Lights that both theological and scientific. captured the point of view.

The book was published in 1770 in response to the spectacular aurora borealis phenomenon that was seen around the world from Japan to Spain. Williams presented light as evidence of the success of the gospel. He also linked them to the legitimacy of the second wave of Methodist evangelical reform in Wales after 1762.

In his paper, Williams speculated that the aurora may be related to the “new art” of electricity, and also acknowledged some modern theories.

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The 18th century Welsh Almanac was an annual publication that combined a calendar, weather lore, and astrological predictions. Despite being ridiculed by 18th-century literary figures, the popular Welsh almanac was an important platform for bringing scientific knowledge to the public’s attention.

It included an explanation of astronomy, the ideas of Isaac Newton, and the discovery of Uranus in 1781. The almanac also included descriptions of natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights.

In 1717, Welsh almanac compiler John Jones described the aurora as “tar” (steam) rising from the earth. This reflected the broader scientific debate of the time. His explanatory essays also represent the transition to a scientific understanding of the natural world and the emergence of a new meteorology.

Historical records serve as a bridge between the past and the present. They show how natural phenomena were understood and valued centuries ago. These help illustrate the history of science and reconstruct past patterns of solar activity. Wales’ historical records demonstrate an enduring fascination with the Northern Lights, in the range of traditional and scientific explanations they cover.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.