Northern Lights WebGL Simulation
About This Simulation
This aurora borealis is generated in real time entirely on your GPU using WebGL2 GLSL fragment shaders — no video, no image. Six independent noise bands simulate the wispy, flowing curtains of the aurora australis and borealis. Move your cursor to shift the light field. Adjust speed or change colour mode to personalise your experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What technology powers this aurora simulation?
The aurora uses WebGL2 GLSL fragment shaders running entirely on your device's GPU. The algorithm layers six bands of FBM (Fractal Brownian Motion) noise to generate the flowing curtain shapes, with no external libraries or server calls required.
Does the aurora simulation work offline?
Yes. ASMR Sanctuary is a Progressive Web App. After your first visit the simulation is cached by the Service Worker and runs fully offline — no internet connection needed.
Can I change the aurora colours?
Yes — use the colour mode buttons (Green, Electric, Solstice) in the control bar to switch between palettes. The transition is instant with no reload.
Does the aurora respond to my mouse?
Yes. Moving your cursor shifts the aurora bands slightly, creating a gentle parallax feel. Try sweeping your mouse slowly left and right to see the curtains tilt.
Will this drain my battery?
The renderer automatically scales pixel resolution based on your screen width and device pixel ratio, keeping GPU load minimal on mobile. Press Pause when you're not watching to stop all rendering completely.
What is FBM noise in GLSL shaders?
Fractal Brownian Motion (FBM) layers multiple octaves of smooth noise at doubling frequencies. Each layer adds finer detail, producing the organic, wispy forms seen in real aurora curtains.
What sound pairs best with this aurora?
Arctic Wind from the Sound Mixer creates an immersive polar atmosphere. Open it in a separate tab at low volume alongside this visual.
How is this different from the aurora in the Visuals gallery?
The gallery uses Canvas 2D API. This page uses GPU-accelerated WebGL2 GLSL, enabling far richer colour gradients, true layered noise at high resolution, and real-time mouse interaction.
Can I screenshot the aurora?
Yes. Use your browser's built-in screenshot tool or print to PDF. The canvas renders at your screen's native resolution for sharp captures.
Does the speed slider affect visual quality?
No — the speed control only changes the animation playback rate (0.25× to 3×). Visual quality and resolution remain constant regardless of the speed setting.