Keith Cooper is a freelance science journalist and editor in the United Kingdom, and has a degree in physics and astrophysics from the University of Manchester.
It is the first time that a rare aurora of this kind has been seen from the ground, and it came at a time when the gusts of the, move and pulsate, with clearly discernible shapes in the sky. These auroral displays are powered by electrons from the solar wind — a stream of charged particles that flow from the sun — that become trapped in an extension of — a large ejection of plasma and magnetic field from the sun— is released, the magnetotail can be pinched off .
At the location of coronal holes, the sun's magnetic field lines are open — they don't loop back onto the sun's surface, the photosphere. As the open magnetic field lines extend out into space the coronal hole forms the base of a magnetic funnel out of which stream high-energy electrons. Normally we don't notice this happening, because the regular polar wind particles scatter the fast-wind electrons emanating from the coronal hole. On this occasion, however, the pressure of the solar wind had decreased to the extent it was negligible, and the fast-wind electrons could reach Earth unhindered.
The clinching evidence was that the DMSP satellites only saw the polar rain aurora over Earth's north magnetic pole, which is tilted towards the sun during Northern Hemisphere winter.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Suki Waterhouse makes rare comments about 'dark and difficult' Bradley Cooper breakup“When … you’re actually not doing well, and you can’t explain yourself to the world, that’s very isolating and disorientating,” the model explained.
Read more »
An asteroid larger than 99% of near-Earth asteroids will pass Earth this weekTwo asteroids will pass Earth back-to-back this week, just in time to celebrate Asteroid Day 2024. Here's what we know.
Read more »
Life Beyond Earth: Webb’s Spectroscopic Hunt for Earth-Like PlanetsScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
In race to regain rare earth glory, Europe falls short on mineral goalsIn race to regain rare earth glory, Europe falls short on mineral goals
Read more »
In race to regain rare earth glory, Europe falls short on mineral goalsNo 1 source of global mining news and opinion
Read more »
Watch Live as Two Rare Asteroids Fly by Earth at Close Range This WeekThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »