Not sure if this is semi-common knowledge or not, but:
I’m sure everyone is familiar with at least one of the geographical adjectives for the cardinal directions: Oriental, generally meaning eastern.
Similarly, you can probably see the connection for the North: Boreal. As in Aurora Borealis.
Known to a lesser degree, there is Occidental, meaning western. I don’t have a connection for this one off the top of my head.
And finally, for the sake of this comment, there is the term for the South: Austral. Of course, this is where we get “Australia.”
As such, the magnetic light show of the Antarctic is not aurora borealis. It is, in fact, aptly named aurora australis.
Another fun side note: There was allegedly support for the idea of naming Canada Borealia. I personally like this idea, because it tickles my inner 12 year old.
Not sure if this is semi-common knowledge or not, but:
I’m sure everyone is familiar with at least one of the geographical adjectives for the cardinal directions: Oriental, generally meaning eastern.
Similarly, you can probably see the connection for the North: Boreal. As in Aurora Borealis.
Known to a lesser degree, there is Occidental, meaning western. I don’t have a connection for this one off the top of my head.
And finally, for the sake of this comment, there is the term for the South: Austral. Of course, this is where we get “Australia.”
As such, the magnetic light show of the Antarctic is not aurora borealis. It is, in fact, aptly named aurora australis.
Another fun side note: There was allegedly support for the idea of naming Canada Borealia. I personally like this idea, because it tickles my inner 12 year old.