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AURORAL FRIENDS

This part of the Student Observation Network allows you to make observations to answer the question, "Have auroras been seen within the last 24 hours due to a solar storm?"

TEACHER'S NOTE

It is important to note that auroras are present all of the time. When the Earth's magnetosphere is calm and stable, the aurora at the North and South poles are roughly over the Arctic and Antarctic Circle and are dim even in dark, remote wilderness. The oval is slightly toward the night side of the Earth. Observers in the far north see aurora quite regularly and may not consider a sighting worth reporting. However, when the Earth's magnetic field is disturbed by especially energetic solar winds, the auroral oval moves outward from the poles and becomes brighter. Auroras cannot be seen during the day, no matter how energetic they are. The most energetic auroras can extend as far south as Texas in North America, and can be seen through the light pollution of cities.

From Students:

Auroras are magnificent and beautiful, but students in southern latitudes or cities with heavy light pollution may never see an aurora. Students in the Student Observation Network depend upon observers in Northern Latitudes and with dark skies - Auroral Friends - to report sightings of these beautiful light shows.

From Observatories:

Ground-based professional observatories in North America and Europe provide near real time measurements of auroral events. These data are used to record the position and intensity of the auroral ovals and to predict where ground observers are likely to see auroras.

From Satellites:

NASA satellites monitor space weather conditions around Earth. These satellites supply scientific data to study Earth's magnetosphere. This data is used to record the position and intensity of the auroral ovals and to predict where ground observers are likely to see auroras.

 

TEACHER'S NOTE

The Student Observation Network provides guided inquiry. While participating in the Auroral Friends program your students may think of other questions that they wish to investigate. For instance, they may wish to know; "What causes the aurora?", "What affect does a solar storm have on aurora?", and "What conditions enhance auroras?". These open inquiries may reveal to them that coronal holes may energize auroras even when solar storms have not occurred.

ACTIVITIES

All activities are in PDF format.

Auroral Activities:
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