X-Ray Earth
Explanation:
The Earth glows in many kinds of light, including
the energetic X-ray band.
Actually, the
Earth itself does
not glow - only
aurora produced high
in the
Earth's atmosphere.
Above is the
first picture
of the Earth in X-rays,
taken in March with the orbiting
Polar satellite.
Bright
X-ray emission
is shown in red.
Energetic
ions from the Sun
cause
aurora
and energize
electrons
in the
Earth's
magnetosphere.
These electrons move along the
Earth's magnetic field
and eventually strike the
Earth's ionosphere,
causing the X-ray emission. These X-rays are not dangerous because
they are absorbed by lower parts of the Earth's atmosphere.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
