aurora

noun

1. 1

   An atmospheric phenomenon created by charged particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere, creating coloured lights in the sky. It is usually named australis or borealis based on whether it is in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere respectively.

   On the evening of our arrival at Muka I observed what appeared like a display of Aurora Borealis, though I could hardly believe that this was possible at a point a little south of the equator. The night was clear and calm, and the northern sky presented a diffused light, with a constant succession of faint vertical flashings or flickerings, exactly similar to an ordinary aurora in England.

2. 2

   The Roman goddess of the dawn, equivalent to the Greek Ἠώς (Ēṓs).

3. 3

   The dawn or early morning light itself; the first light of day.

Forms

plural

auroras, aurorae