Solar Activity

In this topic, you will explore the phenomena known as the aurora borealis, as seen in the image to the right. This spectacle, which can appear over the northern United States during the winter months, is breathtaking and has provided inspiration for many poems, stories, songs, and other works of art. Members of the Menominee Indian Tribe have lived in areas of what is Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan for over 10,000 years. They have been observing natural wonders for nearly as long. In his 1888 book about the Menominee Indian Tribe, Walter J. Hoffman recorded the following Menominee folk tale associated with the aurora borealis:

In the direction of the north wind live the manabai'wok (giants), of whom we have heard our old people tell. The manabai'wok are our friends, but we do not see them anymore. They are great hunters and fishermen, and whenever they are out with their torches to spear fish we know it, because then the sky is bright over the place where they are.