{"id":1866,"date":"2022-06-17T05:26:53","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T05:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurorasaurudev.wpengine.com\/?p=1866"},"modified":"2023-12-26T21:42:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-26T21:42:24","slug":"summer-or-winter-aurora-reading-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/?p=1866","title":{"rendered":"Summer (or Winter!) Aurora Reading List"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It\u2019s June, the season for graduations and vacations. Whether you\u2019re soaking up the sun at the beach, curling up in a cozy cabin, or enjoying an evening at home, we\u2019ve pulled together a reading list of fantastic books that explore aurora science and citizen science using words and descriptions that are easy to understand. If you\u2019re looking for an interesting, relaxing summer read, check these out!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nAurora: In Search of The Northern Lights<\/span><\/a>, by Dr. Melanie Windridge, 2016<\/span>
\nAuthored by a plasma physicist, <\/span>Aurora<\/span><\/i> explores the science behind our favorite phenomenon through the story of Dr. Windridge aurora chasing across the world. Dr. Liz says the information is accurate like a textbook, but in clear language without any equations! In 2020, Dr. Windridge even gave a Q&A on the book to the Aurorasaurus Ambassadors. You can watch it <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>\u2013and check out Dr. Windridge\u2019s blog <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nHearts in the Ice: The Adventures of the First Two Women to Overwinter Solo in Svalbard<\/span><\/a>, by Hilde F\u00e5lun Str\u00f8m and Sunniva Sorby, 2021<\/span>
\n24-hour night. Polar bears. Rarely-seen auroras. Teamwork and connection with communities around the world. The story of the epic expedition Hearts in the Ice of 2019-2021 inspires and uplifts our hearts. Hilde and Sunniva conducted observations every day during their sojourn in the extreme but fragile environment of Svalbard\u2013including for Aurorasaurus\u2013 and told their story in their recently-released book. You can watch Dr. Liz join them to talk with students about their work <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nThe Aurora Watcher\u2019s Handbook<\/span><\/a>, by T. Neil Davis, 1992<\/span>
\nThis classic is out of print but available at used bookstores. While a few concepts (like aurora shape categories) are out of date, the majority of the book\u2019s easy-to-read introduction to aurora science is both solid and very useful\u2013a great resource for any aurora chaser. <\/span>Dr. T. Neil Davis<\/span><\/a> was a professor and prominent aurora researcher at the <\/span>University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute<\/span><\/a>. We will be doing a Journal Club deep read of one of his scientific articles next month, and you\u2019re invited! See below for registration.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nStorms from the Sun: The Emerging Science of Space Weather<\/span><\/a>, by Michael J. Carlowicz and Ramon E. Lopez, 2002<\/span>
\nWhat about the physics involved <\/span>before<\/span><\/i> an aurora lights the sky? Check out this introduction to the science of space weather by our colleagues Dr. Michael Carlowicz and Dr. Ramon Lopez. It\u2019s a great foundation for heading into solar maximum!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nThe Northern Lights: The true story of the man who unlocked the secrets of the aurora borealis<\/span><\/a>, by Lucy Jago, 2001<\/span>
\nAt times sad, at others exciting, this biography of the dramatic life of early aurora scientist Kristian Birkeland (1867-1917) provides a useful introduction to the history of formal, Western aurora science. Birkeland, who was from Norway, figured out that aurora is caused by particles from the Sun interacting with the Earth\u2019s magnetic field.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nCitizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery<\/span><\/a>, by Caren Cooper, 2016<\/span>
\nDuring difficult times, it can be helpful to be reminded of the power of people working together for a common cause. This book speaks to the positive difference communities can make together\u2013and why it\u2019s so easy to fall in love with this form of science. Be sure to also check out the free-to-watch companion documentary, <\/span>The Crowd and the Cloud<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nThe Cartoon Guide to Physics<\/span><\/a>, by Larry Gonick & Art Huffman, 1991<\/span>
\nLet\u2019s be real, not everyone\u2019s studied physics. Many of us haven\u2019t cracked a physics book since high school, and it can be a little intimidating to revisit after so long. Enter this book: a humorous, beginner-level guide to the basics. For the fundamentals used in aurora science, be sure to check out the section called \u201cElectricity and Magnetism.\u201d<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0\"book<\/a><\/td>\nBonus book! <\/b>Eclipse: A Journey to Darkness and Light<\/span><\/a> by David H. Levy<\/span>
\nDr. Liz\u2019s favorite eclipse book is by a famous citizen scientist who \u201crecounts the recorded history of eclipses, how they have been perceived by ancient cultures, how they can be predicted, and how best to view them. In addition, he explains the science of solar eclipses and what can be gained by studying them. In a manner accessible to all readers, <\/span>Levy<\/span><\/a> recounts the story of nature\u2019s most profound displays.\u201d<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

We hope the books in this list help make aurora science easier to explore. (Thanks also to Aurorasaurus Ambassador Jeremy Kuzub for his <\/span>suggestions<\/span><\/a>!)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in delving deeper, you can join us on\u00a0<\/span>July 8 and 22 from 12-1pm ET (9-10am PT)<\/b> for a Journal Club reading of the 1978 classic \u201c<\/span>Observed Characteristics of Auroral Forms<\/span><\/a>\u201d by T. Neil Davis. <\/span>Register to attend here<\/span><\/a>. And be sure to save the date for a second Journal Club, Sept 16 and 30, from 12-1pm ET (9-10am PT). We\u2019re excited to learn more about these topics together! Check out past Journal Clubs <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s June, the season for graduations and vacations. Whether you\u2019re soaking up the sun at the beach, curling up in a cozy cabin, or enjoying an evening at home, we\u2019ve pulled together a reading list of fantastic books that explore aurora science and citizen science using words and descriptions that are easy to understand. If… Read More »Summer (or Winter!) Aurora Reading List<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1868,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,7,17,4,12],"tags":[20,21,23],"class_list":["post-1866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-citizen-science","category-education","category-other-resources-for-aurora-hunters","category-solar-events","category-understanding-the-aurora","tag-auroras","tag-citizen-science","tag-northern-lights"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1866","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1866"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1866\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1866"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1866"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.aurorasaurus.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1866"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}