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Scientists Explain Northern Lights

Posted Jul 24, 08 7:01 PM CDT in Science & Health

(Newser) – Scientists say they have solved the mystery of what causes
the dazzling northern lights to seemingly dance across the sky, Wired reports.
The light show, also known as aurora borealis, is triggered by explosions
of magnetic energy about 80,000 miles away. The findings—drawn from
five NASA satellites working in tandem with ground observers—might
help scientists better predict geomagnetic storms that take out satellites.

“We discovered what sparks the magnificent light show of the aurora,”
said one of the scientists. The breakthrough came when satellites detected
the start of a magnetic storm earlier this year. Within minutes, observers
on earth noted that the northern lights began to brighten and fluctuate.


Sources Wired, Times (UK)



A band of Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, stretches
over the Chugach Range near Palmer, Alaska, in this file photo.
(AP Photo)

In this Sept. 3, 2006 file photo, a spectator watches the aurora
borealis rise above the Alaska Range, in Denali National Park,
Alaska. (AP Photo/M. Scott Moon, File)

Scientists Explain Northern Lights - Newser