Spacecraft detect auroral power source
Posted: Fri, Jul 25, 2008, 6:24 AM ET (1024 GMT)
A fleet of NASA spacecraft have helped scientists identify the mechanism that powers the auroral displays known as the northern and southern lights. Scientists used data from the five THEMIS spacecraft to link the aurorae to magnetic reconnection events, when the Earth's magnetic field snaps to a new shape, releasing charged particles. The reconnection events are linked to substorms in the magnetic field, which accompany powerful solar events. These substorms take place about a third of the way to the Moon.
A fleet of NASA spacecraft have helped scientists identify the mechanism that powers the auroral displays known as the northern and southern lights. Scientists used data from the five THEMIS spacecraft to link the aurorae to magnetic reconnection events, when the Earth's magnetic field snaps to a new shape, releasing charged particles. The reconnection events are linked to substorms in the magnetic field, which accompany powerful solar events. These substorms take place about a third of the way to the Moon.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, September 30
U.S. Trying To Seal Leaks To China's Space Program
Forbes.com — 7:40 pm ET (2340 GMT) Governor urges voters to support spaceport tax
AP — 7:35 pm ET (2335 GMT) Snow Falling From Martian Atmosphere
Voice of America — 7:33 pm ET (2333 GMT) SpaceX Private Rocket Blazes Post-Shuttle Trail
TechNewsWorld — 7:32 pm ET (2332 GMT) Senate would require NASA to upgrade IT
Federal Computer Week — 7:31 pm ET (2331 GMT) |