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ScienceSpace & SpaceflightLatest Solar Outburst Could Trigger Auroras Over New York and Other States on Wednesday
A powerful explosion on the Sun's surface has sent particles on a collision course with Earth's atmosphere, which could mean we're in for a nice light show in some unusual locations.
By Adam Kovac -
EartherEarth ScienceA New Type of Aurora Has Been Discovered by Citizen Scientists
A collaboration between physicists and citizen scientists has led to the discovery of a previously unknown form of Northern Lights. Dubbed “the dunes,” the spectacular auroral form is providing new insights into Earth’s upper atmosphere. New research published today in AGU Advances describes the auroral dunes, which appear as undulating, green-tinged waves in the night … Continued
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io9His Dark Materials Turns Things Around With an Intense (but Nonviolent) Bear Fight
You cannot trick a bear—unless your name is Lyra Belacqua, in which case you totally can. After a few disappointing episodes that left us concerned about the future of the series, His Dark Materials has shown that all it needed was a change in scenery, a renewed focus on its two young stars, and at … Continued
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Tech NewsCitizen Scientists Discover New Feature of the Aurora Borealis
It wasn’t scientists who discovered the thin, purple, east-to-west traveling glow in the northern night sky. It was people with cameras and a nerdy passion for auroras. Researchers today gave an official proposal to name this structure first observed by citizen scientists: a Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE), along with an idea behind STEVE’s … Continued
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EartherEarth Science
This New NASA Mission Could Unlock Secrets of the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis is one of the most spectacular light shows Earth’s skies have to offer—but it’s much more than that. The energy that drives the northern lights could also power upwelling in our planet’s upper atmosphere. Weather permitting, two NASA-funded sounding rockets are launching from Norway this month to probe that mysterious connection. That … Continued
By Maddie Stone -
Tech NewsWhat the Hell is This Beautiful Thing?
Meet Steve, a newly discovered atmospheric phenomenon that’s so strange it still doesn’t have a formal scientific description, hence the placeholder name. Thanks to the work of aurora enthusiasts and atmospheric scientists, we’re now learning more about Steve, but many questions remain. This stunning feature was first documented by the Facebook group Alberta Aurora Chasers … Continued
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Tech NewsSploidSeeing the Northern Lights at 35,000 Feet Is the Best Reason to Fly to Iceland
Iceland’s board of tourism is doing something right because the country has become a vacation hotspot in recent years. Apparently, even the flight up north can be a spectacular experience, as you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the northern lights from 35,000 feet. Most people would sleep the hours away on … Continued
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Tech NewsSploidSeeing the Aurora Borealis’ Reflection on Water Is So Cool
I was going to say my New Year’s resolution (and everyone who’s able) should be to see the Northern Lights in person but I’m not sure seeing them with my own eyes can actually top the electric timelapses and stunning low light photography of them. This one by AD Photography shows the Aurora Borealis from … Continued
By Casey Chan -
Tech NewsSploidThe Northern Lights Look Absolutely Breathtaking in This Timelapse Video
If you’ve never had the opportunity to venture far enough north to take in the northern lights, the filmmakers at More Than Just Parks captured a stunning example of the Aurora Borealis’ majesty over Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park. These timelapse videos might even be better than the real thing since you don’t even have to … Continued
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Tech News
Lawnmower Triggers False Alarm for Northern Lights Display
A group of scientists at Lancaster University in England are constantly monitoring geomagnetic activity, to get a heads-up for the spectacular night sky display known as the Northern Lights. So a couple of days ago, they were thrilled to get a strong reading that an aurora was likely imminent. Alas, it turned out to be … Continued
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ScienceSpace & Spaceflight
Jupiter’s Northern Lights Look Absolutely Incredible
If you want to see beautiful auroras, forget Alaska, Canada, and Iceland—check out Jupiter. At the gas giant’s north pole, the most powerful and luminous northern lights in the solar system shimmer and glow in an endless geomagnetic storm that’s larger than our entire planet. Jupiter’s glorious auroras—caused by the gas giant’s enormous magnetic field … Continued
By Maddie Stone -
Tech NewsHow to Fake the Northern Lights in Photoshop For Amazing Vacation Photos
There are few natural phenomena as captivating as the northern lights. But you need to be in the right place at the right time if you hope to snap a memorable of them. Unless you’re marginally comfortable with Photoshop, and don’t have any moral conflicts about just faking them. If you’re a Photoshop novice, you’re … Continued
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io9Television
The Team Behind Doctor Who and the Writer of Skins Will Give The Golden Compass New Life
Philip Pullman’s fantasy series, His Dark Materials, has long been a favorite of readers but Hollywood’s previous attempt to bring the first book, The Golden Compass, to the big screen was a disappointment. But now the team behind Doctor Who are revisiting the material for BBC One. Deadline reports that acclaimed writer Jack Thorne (Skins, … Continued
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Tech News
Rare Glimpse of Aurora Borealis Spotted in Southern England Last Night
The Aurora Borealis may be a common site in some parts of the world, but England rarely gets to witness it in its full, saturated glory. Last night, however, the country was treated to an impressive multicolor light show. The BBC reports that the Northern Lights could be seen strongly as far west as Anglesey … Continued
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io9
A Brilliant Glimpse of the Aurora Borealis Dancing in the Sky Near the North Pole
Photographer Frode Ramone snapped this stunning shot of the Northern lights illuminating the frosty skies above Svalbard, a group of islands that’s about halfway between Norway and the North Pole. A former whaling hub, the Arctic archipelago is now known for being home to more polar bears than humans.
By Cheryl Eddy -
Tech News
The Nights Are Filled With Glorious Auroras This Week
The aurora borealis is one of the most stunning light shows on Earth, but normally, it’s a treat reserved for the hardy souls living at the coldest edges of the world. The last few nights, however, people across the Northern and Southern hemispheres have enjoyed dazzling, colorful skies, thanks to a geomagnetic storm that began … Continued
By Maddie Stone
