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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Полярное сияние в стеклянных шариках http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1332105/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Babak Tafreshi
(TWAN)
Explanation:
It looks like
a fine collection of aggies.
But this grid of embedded swirls and streaks actually follows
the dramatic development of
planet Earth's auroral substorms.
The sequence of over 600 horizon-to-horizon fisheye images was
taken over a 2 hour period near the artic circle in March of
2012 from Lapland, northern Sweden.
It begins at upper left in evening twilight and
ends at lower right, covering
two activity peaks with bright coronae forming overhead.
While exploring space between Earth and Moon, NASA's fleet of
THEMIS spacecraft discovered
that these explosions of auroral activity are driven by sudden
releases of energy in the Earth's magnetosphere.
Even if you're not
playing
for keepsies, you can follow this link to check out the sequence in a
full timelapse video (vimeo).
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.