Have you ever wondered how scientists get data to learn about aurora? One way is by sending scientific “sounding rockets” into the Earth’s upper atmosphere to take measurements. One location from which these instruments are launched is Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Nine undergraduate… Read More »Science in Action: Visiting Poker Flat Research Range
This post is the second in our series on the recent Winter Field School. You can read the first post here. The aurora is an awe-inspiring phenomenon that captures the imagination and fascination of people across the world. As a common interest, it brings together many different kinds of experience and expertise. Likewise, Winter Field… Read More »Dreams fulfilled and galactic marvels unlocked as the aurora brings people together
For many across the world, seeing the aurora is a life goal, something for the bucket list. Realizing the dream of a successful aurora chase can be an awe-inspiring, profound experience. If you’ve seen the aurora, do you remember how you felt the first time you saw it dance? You’re not alone. In early January,… Read More »Warmth and awe: Winter Field School students on seeing the aurora for the first time
Guest post by Vincent Ledvina, Laura Edson With thanks to Valerie Svaldi for additional input One of the terms you’ll often aurora chasers and scientists use is “substorm.” You might hear it referring to the best parts of an aurora chase, or as something to patiently wait for. But what does it mean, and where… Read More »What is an auroral substorm?
Guest post by Aurorasaurus Ambassador Dr. Becca Robinson It may not seem ideal to spend the winter months experiencing the bitter cold polar night, but for me, the light far outweighs the darkness. My name is Dr. Rebecca Robinson (you can call me Becca) and over the course of winter seasons 2021 and 2022, I… Read More »Searching for Light in the Arctic Night
A question we often get is “does the aurora make sound?” Observers sometimes note a crackling, rustling, whooshing, or similar noise when they watch aurora, but there has not been a lot of conclusive scientific study and anecdotal reports can be met with skepticism in the scientific community. In this blog post, we dive into… Read More »Listening for the sound of aurora—in the historical record
Since time immemorial, humanity has developed a deep and multifaceted relationship with our nearest star. While each culture expresses that bond in its own way, humans share millennia of solar observation. The Sun makes life on Earth possible, and its ever-changing nature affects our daily lives. What does the Sun mean to you? In Kiuġuyat:… Read More »Relationship With the Sun
by Dr. Liz MacDonald and Laura Brandt Originally posted to the Zooniverse blog Viewing the aurora in person is a magnificent experience, but due to location (or pesky clouds) it’s not always an option. Fortunately, citizen science projects like Aurorasaurus and Zooniverse’s Aurora Zoo make it easy to take part in aurora research from any… Read More »A Sky Full of Chocolate Sauce: Citizen Science with Aurora Zoo
Originally posted to NASA’s The Sun Spot blog NASA’s citizen science projects are collaborations between scientists and interested members of the public. Through these collaborations, volunteers known as citizen scientists have helped make thousands of important scientific discoveries. Aurorasaurus is one such project that tracks auroras around the world in real time via reports on… Read More »Like an Outdoor Nightclub: Q&A on Pulsating Auroras
On February 24, running through March 10, 2022, the watch begins for the perfect opportunity to launch a sounding rocket into a common but rarely-viewed type of aurora: the pulsating aurora. The NASA Loss through Auroral Microburst Pulsations (LAMP) mission will send instruments high above the auroral light. Read on to find out what the… Read More »Be a Rocket Citizen Scientist: Help Study Pulsating Aurora!