Aurora Over Alaska
Explanation:
Higher than the
highest mountain, higher than the
highest airplane, lies the realm of the
aurora.
Aurora rarely reach below 60 kilometers, and can range up to 1000 kilometers.
Aurora
light results from solar shockwave causing energetic
electrons and
protons to striking molecules in
the
Earth's atmosphere.
Frequently, when viewed from space, a
complete aurora will appear as a
circle around one of the
Earth's magnetic poles.
The
above digitally enhanced photograph was
taken in 2005 January shows a spectacular
aurora borealis above the frozen landscape of
Bear Lake,
Alaska,
USA.
The
above image was voted
Wikipedia Commons Picture of the Year for 2006.
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.
