NASA is all set to launch five dishwasher sized probes to investigate the origin and other facts about Auroras.
Auroras is the brilliant show of light that is found in the sky in Northern Hemisphere of the planet. This light show is caused by a Magnetic Storm and they can change from dim shimmering curtains of light into brilliant freaks of color.
After the research the scientists will be able to pinpoint the exact point of birth of these Auroras and that will help them to predict space weather.
These Auroras give a brilliant light show in the Northern Hemisphere but since they are charged they can also disrupt communication signals between Earth and the orbiting Satellites.
If we go into History these Auroras were earlier thought to be spirits passing by the Earth but later it was revealed that these so thought spirits are nothing but charged particles that are emulated from the sun. Later when these particles pass through our atmosphere some of them leak into Earth’s Magnetosphere and collide with the air molecules, this impact releases visible light, creating an aurora.
Sometimes these particles build up the Earth’s Magnetic field and when the field breaks tremendous energy is released and that causes the Aurora to shine brilliantly.
The multiple probes will orbit for around ten months before they assume their desired position in an arc over North America. From this position the probes will then map the Magnetic field and will also observe these storms during the two year mission.
NASA has commented that the probes will enable them to predict the space weather which is important to keep the astronauts safe during an intense magnetic storm.
Via: nationalgeographic
