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First Full Mapping of Near-Earth Plasma Transport Achieved, Thanks to the Van Allen Probes

Maps are developed to best describe what surrounds us. That is true on the ground, and it is also true in space. To detail traffic in space, we must know both the magnetic field and the electric field: how strong are they? In what direction are they pointing? But unlike the magnetic field, the electric field is very difficult to measure, especially close to Earth! Using data from the Van Allen Probe satellites, we managed to make the first ever comprehensive observations of plasma transport due to the electric field close to Earth. This is a technical feat that allows us to test our 50 year old theories, at last!

Check out Virtual Reality Aurora!

Aurora only occur in particular areas of the world and are highly unpredictable which are some of the reasons why many people feel fortunate to see them at all.  And, for the majority of known human history, you could only experience the beauty and mystique of aurora in person.  Not anymore! Recently, the first virtual… Read More »Check out Virtual Reality Aurora!

Which processes in space cause these mysterious auroral beads?

This post is written by Aurorasaurus guest blogger Nadine Kalmoni, a PhD student at Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London in the UK. The first time I saw this incredible image of the aurora (Figure 1) was just before Christmas of 2015 as a twitter post by a member of the public. I remember thinking, “Wow!” Photos and… Read More »Which processes in space cause these mysterious auroral beads?

Snap, crackle, pop! Care for some sound with that aurora?

This is a post by our guest blogger this month, Justin Oldham, who is a former graduate student from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and an instructor at the University of New Mexico. While studying aurora-related acoustics in Alaska I frequently encountered people who’d heard the northern lights during particularly intense displays on very still… Read More »Snap, crackle, pop! Care for some sound with that aurora?

Here’s what you told us about the many types of aurora seen in 2015

Thank you to those of you who contributed to auroral science in 2015! We’re excited to share some highlights of what we all collectively saw last year in the skies based on when you reported “Yes, I saw aurora!” Thanks for reporting through our form on our website – the answers you submit to each… Read More »Here’s what you told us about the many types of aurora seen in 2015

Space Weather at our Doorstep: How Can We Detect it?

Identifying Space Weather Phenomena Space weather is a complex field of study and can be a difficult term to define.  According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), space weather is described as the variations in the space environment between the sun and Earth. Other planets have space weather, too.  In fact, we have been… Read More »Space Weather at our Doorstep: How Can We Detect it?

How we are improving real time alerts, and your viewing lines

For hundreds of years, aurora sightings have left people intrigued – for both their beauty and unpredictability. In any moment, they can surprise us as bright flashes of light in the night sky, dark above us.  They appear like unexpected gifts, made of colorful swaths of light, dancing above us. In a dance that sometimes looks more like… Read More »How we are improving real time alerts, and your viewing lines

Aurora Orders of Magnitude

[slideshow_deploy id=’299′]   Think you already know a lot about Aurora and orders of magnitude? Or, want to see where you land before you learn more? Test your knowledge, here! Have you looked into the sky at stars or the moon and wondered how far away they were? Outer space is large, beyond belief. Outer space… Read More »Aurora Orders of Magnitude