Exhibition Presents 140-Year-Old Northern Lights Images

A new exhibition at Cambridge’s Polar Museum, part of the Scott Polar Research Institute, will showcase early efforts to document the Northern Lights. These sketches, created by the Danish-born teacher and self-taught scientist Sophus Peter Tromholt (1851–1896), were discovered by artist and archaeologist Dr Christine Finn. Tromholt was unable to photograph the Aurora Borealis directly due to the insufficient sensitivity of photographic plates during that era. Consequently, he depicted his observations through drawings and then photographed these sketches. Dr David Waterhouse, the curator of the Polar Museum, noted that recent sightings of the Northern Lights in the UK mean “many of us can relate to the frustrations of aurora photography. Tromholt was a pioneer.” Aurora displays manifest when charged particles interact with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles. This collision process results in the emission of light at different wavelengths, producing vibrant spectacles in the sky. The phenomenon has recently been observed throughout the UK. In 1882, Trombolt resided for a year among the native Sami people of Kautokeino, northern Norway, also photographing them. His sketches of the phenomenon were initially created to complement his newspaper articles and serve as illustrations for his 1885 publication, *Under the Rays of the Aurora Borealis*. Dr Finn stated, “These pictures were created from original glass negatives archived in Bergen.” She added, “The wooden surface against which Tromholt photographed the drawings is visible, knots and all. Also left for context are the numbers which represent duration or time, almost certainly in his own hand.” Dr Finn further explained, “These traces are part of the ‘archaeology’ of the Aurora as it progresses from Tromholt’s eye to brush and pen marks, glass plate negative, then digital file, and now, a print on fine art photographic paper.” Some Sami people referred to Tromholt as the “star man,” and the exhibition will also feature several traditional Sami objects. Additionally, visitors can listen to actor Michael Maloney, who has recorded an excerpt from Tromholt’s descriptions of auroras found in his book. Dr Waterhouse further commented, “This exhibition combines the history of science and photography with Dr Finn’s artistic processes to bring this fascinating story to life some 140 years later.” He continued, noting that with the recent surge in solar activity making the Northern Lights visible across the UK, “many of us can relate to the frustrations of aurora photography.” Dr Waterhouse emphasized, “Tromholt was a pioneer in the subject – moving to the Arctic Circle in order to study and capture their image.” He concluded, “What better timing for an exhibition focused on the Aurora?” The exhibition, titled *Under the Rays of the Aurora Borealis: Sophus Tromholt Refound*, will run from Friday 15 November to Saturday 22 February. Admission to the museum is free.