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Tag Archives: Magnetosphere
Farewell, for now
I have always loved the stars, nebulae, planets, and all the space in between, but I never had a chance to seriously study them until this year. I am incredibly grateful that I was able to devote two classes (and a lab!) to learning more about the processes that govern solar system formation and how […] Continue reading
Posted in Class, Stars
Tagged astro2110, astrobiology, blog8, drake equation, earth, ESA, extremophiles, Fermi Paradox, Magnetosphere, NASA, Solar System
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All About Aurorae
As the title suggests, our topic for today is Earth’s aurorae (pronounced auh-ror-eye). These stunning displays generally occur in two symmetrical oval rings about the planet’s far northern and southern regions–Earth’s magnetic north and south poles. When they happen in the north, aurorae are often referred to as the northern lights or Aurora Borealis. Likewise, […] Continue reading
Posted in Class, Historical, Observables
Tagged astro2110, atmospheres, blog3, earth, Magnetosphere, NASA, Solar System
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Aurora Borealis
Aurora borealis, or the “Northern lights,” as it is often called, is the result of our Earth’s magnetosphere deflecting harmful particles from the Sun from the Earth. They can best be seen from the Arctic Circle (Canada, Iceland, Finland, etc.). Every aurora in the solar system originates from the Sun. Periodically, the Sun has stormsContinue reading “Aurora Borealis” Continue reading
Posted in Light, Observables, Sun
Tagged astro2110, Aurora, blog4, Magnetosphere, northernlights, photons, Solar System: Sun
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The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that appear to be fresh out of a fantasy novel. Otherwise known as Aurora Borealis, these lights are the product of the Earth’s magnetic field and high energy particles from the sun. Normally our magnetic field is invisible, but in certain locations, like the Earth’s poles, they becomeContinue reading “The Northern Lights” Continue reading
Posted in Class, Science
Tagged astro2110, Magnetosphere, northern lights, Travel
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What Causes the Northern Lights?
The aurora borealis, or aurora australis if in Southern Hemisphere, is one of nature’s most dazzling phenomena consisting of massive bands of colorful light streaking across the sky. This spectacular light show, despite its captivating beauty, actually portrays the deadly solar radiation spewing out from the sun and largely dissipating when coming into contact withContinue reading “What Causes the Northern Lights?” Continue reading
Posted in Class
Tagged astro2110, blog4, Magnetosphere
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Blog 3: Auroras in the Southern United States
On November 20, 2003 Auroras were seen in the southern United States. This is not a normal occurrence as is likely obvious to most of you. Auroras, or the Northern Lights, are caused by charged particles from the sun spiraling around the earth’s magnetic field and hitting the atmosphere. The magnetic field lines of the … Continue reading Blog 3: Auroras in the Southern United States → Continue reading
Posted in Sun
Tagged astro2110, Aurora, blog3, Magnetosphere, Solar System
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Earth’s Changing Magnetosphere
One of Earth’s most important features is its Magnetosphere. This magnetic field that surrounds Earth deflects Solar wind that could slowly widdle away our atmosphere. Without an atmosphere, life would not have been able to develop on Earth. In addition, if we were to suddenly lose our magnetosphere, then our power grids and other electronics […]
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Posted in Class, Sun
Tagged astro2110, blog5, Magnetosphere
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Saturn’s Titan doesn’t have it’s own magnetosphere!
So whilst finding out some information about Saturn’s orbiter Cassini, I came across this story: Cassini Catches Titan Naked in the Solar Wind. We’ve been talking a lot about magnetospheres when we discuss the giant worlds so this whole thing is really interesting! The space probe Cassini was going by Titan in 2013 when a big […]
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Posted in Jovians, SolarSystem
Tagged Magnetosphere, saturn, titan
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Ganymede’s Ocean Confirmed?
Recent observations of Ganymede by Hubble appear to suggest that it may truly have an ocean far beneath its crust. Aurorae on the planet, caused by Ganymede’s magnetic field (the only moon in the solar system to have one), and their behavior seem to be suggestive of this high possibility. Ganymede’s distance from Jupiter allows […]
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Posted in Class
Tagged astro201, blog8, Ganymede, jupiter, magnetic field, Magnetosphere, Solar System, water, water in space
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An Ocean on a Moon?
One of the largest satellites in the solar system is Jupiter’s moon Ganymede. Though Ganymede is classified as a moon …
Posted in Jovians, Moons
Tagged astro201, blog6, Ganymede, jupiter, Magnetosphere, Moon, ocean, Solar System
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