1,400-year-old mystery of 'red sign' in Japan's sky solved

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According to historical records, on Dec. 30, year 620, a "red sign" shaped like "a pheasant tail" appeared in the sky.

Ryuho Kataoka, who studies space weather at the National Institute of Polar Research in Japan, and his colleagues decided they wanted to investigate what could have caused the scarlet phenomenon, according to a statement.

Scientists concluded that the oldest record of the red sign is consistent with the appearance of the northern lights over Japan. The theory also matches Earth's magnetic field at that time and aurora's possiblity to appear in various colors depending on which elements in the atmosphere are being activated by cosmic particles, further indicating the link between the astral phenomenon and auroras.

As comet's coloration isn't usually red, researchers ruled out the hypothesis of a comet creating the sign.

Reseachers hope this examination contributes to increasing awareness of the sensitivity of Japanese people 1400-years-ago who compared a beautiful behavior of birds with a magnificent and rare natural phenomenon. 

Source: https://www.livescience.com/japan-sky-lights-mystery-red-aurora.html

Original paper: http://www.bunka.soken.ac.jp/journal_bunka/16_02_kataoka/index_en.html

[Economy 52,928]

What do they mean by growing sensitivity of Japanese 1400 years ago?

[Guest]

Well.... I see northern lights like this every winter and I thought it was normal to be purple/green/red-ish?

[ice bear 1]

is that a photo? wow

[Blastertoyo 22,734]

Gaga's really pushing the promo for Chromatica this time around 

her mind

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8 hours ago, Economy said:

What do they mean by growing sensitivity of Japanese 1400 years ago?

I assume they are talking about those people's imagination to associate an astral phenomenon with a bird because of its shape.

Or it may be simply a weird translation..

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8 hours ago, ice bear said:

is that a photo? wow

It's said to be an illustration so I don't know if it is an actual photograph taken in real life.

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8 hours ago, BadGurlMadge said:

Well.... I see northern lights like this every winter and I thought it was normal to be purple/green/red-ish?

From what I found, red, purple, blue are more unusual colors and most auroras are green.

https://www.theaurorazone.com/about-the-aurora/the-science-of-the-northern-lights/the-northern-lights-colours

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

From what I found, red, purple, blue are more unusual colors and most auroras are green.

https://www.theaurorazone.com/about-the-aurora/the-science-of-the-northern-lights/the-northern-lights-colours

I’ve heard that, but sometimes it’s layers of the colours, but I’m only seeing it like 3 times a year on the winters lmao

[Economy 52,928]

5 hours ago, FfFfFfFF said:

I assume they are talking about those people's imagination to associate an astral phenomenon with a bird because of its shape.

Or it may be simply a weird translation..

Probably a weird translation. Only 1400 years ago? Lmao ppl had imaginations

 

If anything due to low scientific knowledge imagination is one thing ppl did have

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2 minutes ago, Economy said:

Probably a weird translation. Only 1400 years ago? Lmao ppl had imaginations

 

If anything due to low scientific knowledge imagination is one thing ppl did have

It could be a way to end the article in an expressive way.