Northern lights at IJmuiden pier 2 by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Northern lights at IJmuiden pier 2"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

IJmuiden pier is a prominent structure located in the coastal town of IJmuiden in the Netherlands. This pier, officially known as the Zuidpier, extends into the North Sea and serves several purposes, including recreational activities, fishing, and maritime navigation.

Built in the early 20th century, the pier was originally built to protect the entrance to the North Sea Canal, which connects Amsterdam to the North Sea. One of the main attractions of the IJmuiden South Pier is the breathtaking panoramic view of the North Sea and coastline. Visitors often come here to enjoy relaxing walks along the pier, take in the fresh sea air and admire the natural beauty of the area.

The northern lights are a stunning natural phenomenon that occur mainly in the high latitudes around the Arctic Circle. Its southern counterpart is called the aurora australis, or Southern Lights, which occurs around the Antarctic Circle.

The northern lights are caused by the interaction between charged particles from the sun and the earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. When charged particles from the sun, mainly electrons and protons, are ejected during solar storms, they travel towards Earth. When these particles collide with Earth's magnetic field, they are directed towards the polar regions. When they enter Earth's atmosphere, they collide with gas particles, such as oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions excite the gas particles, causing them to emit light of different colours, creating the spectacular spectacle known as the aurora borealis.