Royal Astronomical Society Public Lecture: In search of the northern lights The RAS hosts popular 45-minute lunchtime lectures for non-specialists, at which members of the public can listen to leading scientists talk about their work. At 1300 GMT on the 9th of February 2010 space scientist Dr. Jim Wild of the University of Lancaster will give a public lecture at the Royal Astronomical Society, where he will discuss the northern lights or aurora borealis. Dr Wild will explain how they originate in the dynamic electromagnetic relationship between the Earth and the Sun, and how this has a direct impact on many areas of human life.