Mirror Images: Exploring Auroras at Each of the Poles

Submitted by Amy Hartley
Phone: (907) 474-5823
01/27/06

At times, the swirls and ripples of the aurora will occur in unison in each hemisphere. For years scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute have studied this effect, known as the conjugacy of the aurora. Although research is shedding more light on the issue, there isn’t a clear-cut formula for when the aurora will mirror on the opposite end of the planet.

Professor of Geophysics Hans Nielsen, of the Geophysical Institute, will discuss the conjugate auroras in a free one-hour lecture on Jan. 31. "Mirror Images: Exploring Auroras at Each of the Poles" will cover the basics on how the aurora is created, and explain research projects that have tried to unlock the mysteries of the mirroring aurora. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Westmark Gold Room. Get there early to check out educational displays and demonstrations. All ages are welcome!

This is the fourth lecture in the 2006 Science for Alaska Lecture Series, an annual event coordinated and sponsored by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Information on all lectures and presenters in the 2006 Science for Alaska Lecture Series may be found online at www.scienceforalaska.com

AURORA MOVIE: View a short movie of conjugate auroras, captured by NASA’s Polar spacecraft in 2001.

Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

CONTACT:
Hans Nielsen, Professor of Geophysics, UAF at (907) 474-7414.
Amy Hartley, Geophysical Institute information officer at (907) 474-5823.