The aurora borealis, or northern lights, that fill the sky in high-latitude regions have fascinated people for thousands of years. But how they're created, while theorized, had not been conclusively proven.
General Physics
Jun 7, 2021
1
2963
Northern lights enthusiasts got a surprise mixed in with the green bands of light dancing in the Alaska skies: A light baby blue spiral resembling a galaxy appeared amid the aurora for a few minutes.
Space Exploration
Apr 18, 2023
0
660
Scientists used data gathered by NASA's Cassini spacecraft during 13 years of exploring the Saturn system to make detailed images of the icy moon—and to reveal geologic activity.
Astronomy
Sep 19, 2020
8
1522
Aurora-watchers gazing at spectacular displays over the Labor Day weekend may have been seeing more than the northern lights. They may have been dazzled by STEVE as well.
Earth Sciences
Sep 5, 2019
1
1556
The shower of electrons bouncing across Earth's magnetosphere, commonly known as the Northern Lights, has been directly observed for the first time by an international team of scientists. While the cause of these colorful ...
Space Exploration
Feb 14, 2018
7
2000
Every winter, thousands of tourists head north hoping to catch a glimpse of the luminous auroras dancing in the sky.
Other
May 31, 2019
1
10
A storm from the broiling sun turned the chilly northernmost skies of Earth into an ever-changing and awe-provoking art show of northern lights on Tuesday.
Space Exploration
Jan 25, 2012
0
0
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope captured this massive galaxy cluster, called Abell 1351, with its Wide Field Camera 3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys. Abell 1351 lies in the constellation Ursa Major in the northern hemisphere.
Astronomy
Jun 25, 2022
1
224
January saw the biggest solar storm since 2005, generating some of the most dazzling northern lights in recent memory.
Plasma Physics
Feb 15, 2012
13
0
Enormous cloud-like plumes reaching 260km above the surface of Mars have left scientists baffled. This is way beyond Mars's normal weather, reaching into the exosphere where the atmosphere merges with interplanetary space. ...
Space Exploration
Feb 17, 2015
9
127
