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Credit: Frank Andreassen (nettfoto.no)
Explanation:
Higher than
highest communications tower, higher than
highest mountain, higher than
highest airplane, lies the realm of the aurora.
Auroras rarely reach below 60 kilometers,
and can range up to 1000 kilometers.
Aurora light results from energetic
electrons and
protons striking
molecules in the
Earth's atmosphere.
Frequently, when viewed from space, a
complete aurora
will appear as a circle around one of the Earth's
magnetic poles.
Pictured above is a particularly rare
purple auroral
corona that occurred on August 30, high above
Harstad,
Norway.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: aurora
Publications with words: aurora
See also: