NASA Is Launching Two Rockets Directly Through the Northern Lights

NASA and a team of researchers in Alaska are still hoping to get two rockets off the ground and into the Northern Lights after a scrubbed launch.

The green light show is caused by charged particles interacting with the Earth's magnetosphere. The idea is to measure temperature, plasma density and wind movement inside the Aurora borealis. NASA wants to know how the lights interact with Earth's atmosphere, so two rockets were scheduled to launch Wednesday from Poker Flat, Alaska.

I heard last night that the skies were clear. We might be able to launch these rockets if the early action of the Aurora is good. The Poker Flat account said that the Youtube feed will be up soon.

More Than a Pretty Face

We will be looking for video of the launch and any data that comes from it.

The Northern Lights are pretty to look at, and they hold spiritual significance for many indigenous people, but they may also help us understand how Earth exchanges energy with space. By reaching 125 miles above the surface of the planet, the project leader and the team are hoping to better understand the boundary layer. He says it's difficult to predict the results and how that boundary line behaves.

This is an interesting physics problem to examine because of all of the factors.

It's pretty and useful. It was perfect.

Exxon Mobil is starting to burn excess gas.

Are you interested in supporting clean energy adoption? At UnderstandSolar.com, you can find out how much money you could save if you switched to solar power. Futurism.com may receive a small commission if you sign up through this link.