Solar storms disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, guiding ions to the poles and creating auroras.
Steve’ and ‘Picket Fences’ in Night Sky Linked to Mysterious Physics, Distinct from Auroras
Recent research links ‘Steve‘ and bright ‘picket fences‘ in the night sky to unexplained and novel physics. This type of aurora, unlike the northern and southern lights, has drawn attention. While auroras are generated by solar energy interacting with Earth’s magnetic fields, ‘Steve’ and ‘picket fences’ are made differently.
Berkeley researchers found that electric fields parallel to Earth’s magnetic field might form the ‘picket fence’ light spectrum. Similar procedures may produce ‘Steve,’ frequently with streaks. This challenges aurora light generation models and sheds information on atmospheric events.
Solar storms disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, guiding ions to the poles and creating auroras. Instead of auroras, low-altitude electric fields form ‘Steve’ and the ‘picket fences’ at lower latitudes. Unlike auroras, ‘Steve’ and the ‘picket fences’ excite particles in space via a parallel electric field.
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Rocket Launch to Uncover Secrets of ‘Steve’ and ‘Picket Fences
Launching a rocket through these events might monitor electric and magnetic fields, revealing Earth’s atmospheric processes, according to the study.
The forthcoming “solar maximum” is a good opportunity to observe spectacular light shows due to solar storms. Future studies will investigate the electric fields’ origin and effects on Earth-space energy transfer.