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New Kind of Aurora is Not an Aurora at All
Auroras are one of the most beautiful natural phenomena that occur in the sky. They are usually seen in the polar regions and are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's magnetic field. However, a new kind of aurora has been discovered that is not an aurora at all. In this article, we will explore this new phenomenon and what makes it different from traditional auroras.
What is an Aurora?
Before we dive into the new kind of aurora, let's first understand what an aurora is. Auroras are natural light displays that occur in the sky, usually in the polar regions. They are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's magnetic field. These collisions cause energy to be released in the form of light, which creates the beautiful colors that we see in the sky.
The New Kind of Aurora
The new kind of aurora was discovered by a team of scientists from Japan and Finland. Unlike traditional auroras, this phenomenon does not involve charged particles from the sun. Instead, it is caused by waves in the upper atmosphere that create glowing ripples of light.
The scientists named this new phenomenon "the dunes" because it looks like sand dunes in the sky. The dunes were first observed over Sodankyla, Finland, and were later seen over Japan as well.
How is it Different?
The dunes are different from traditional auroras in several ways. First, they do not involve charged particles from the sun. Second, they occur at much lower altitudes than traditional auroras. While traditional auroras occur between 60 and 400 miles above the Earth's surface, the dunes occur at around 50 miles above the surface.
Another difference is that traditional auroras are usually seen as curtains or arcs of light, while the dunes are seen as ripples or waves of light. The dunes also have a different color than traditional auroras. While traditional auroras are usually green, the dunes are red.
What Causes the Dunes?
The dunes are caused by waves in the upper atmosphere that create glowing ripples of light. These waves are created by a phenomenon called atmospheric gravity waves. Atmospheric gravity waves are created when air is forced to move up and down, creating a ripple effect in the atmosphere.
When these waves reach a certain altitude, they can create a layer of charged particles that glow, creating the dunes. The exact mechanism behind this process is still not fully understood, and more research is needed to fully understand this new phenomenon.
Conclusion
The discovery of the dunes is an exciting development in the field of atmospheric science. This new kind of aurora shows that there is still much to learn about our planet and the natural phenomena that occur in our skies. While traditional auroras are still a beautiful sight to behold, the dunes offer a new and unique perspective on the wonders of our planet.
FAQs
1. Can the dunes be seen with the naked eye?
- Yes, the dunes can be seen with the naked eye, but they are not as bright as traditional auroras.
2. Where else have the dunes been observed?
- The dunes have been observed over Sodankyla, Finland, and Japan so far.
3. Are there any other new kinds of auroras that have been discovered?
- There have been other new kinds of auroras discovered in recent years, including "Steve" and "the proton arc."
4. How do scientists study auroras?
- Scientists study auroras using a variety of methods, including ground-based observations, satellite observations, and computer simulations.
5. Can atmospheric gravity waves be harmful to humans?
- Atmospheric gravity waves are not harmful to humans, but they can affect the performance of aircraft and spacecraft.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.