Rocket ICI4 examine the aurora borealis and its influence on the Earth

This natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis, always attracts the eye with their beauty. However, nothing magical about it - this is one of the manifestations of our activity light when charged particles "solar wind" fall into the Earth's ionosphere. Glow - not the only manifestation of the "solar wind", there is also electromagnetic radiation, which, depending on the active light, can be very strong. All this affects the electrical network, communication and navigation systems.

Группа researchers from the University of Oslo has launched a rocket through the aurora borealis, for the study of this phenomenon and its impact on Earth. Scientists hoped that a detailed study of the northern lights will make predictions on the "space weather".

And the effect of this can be significant. For example, clouds of charged particles that are formed during the day in the area of ​​North America, may in a few hours to cross the Arctic and reach Scandinavia. And if the electron clouds occur in conjunction with the Northern Lights, the overall impact on communications and navigation network of the Earth can be very significant. It is for the study of such events and rocket was launched ICI4. The rocket was launched on February 19 of the Norwegian Space Centre Anda (Andoya).

With it, the researchers plan to study the mutual influence of the electron clouds and Northern Lights on Earth, including human technical devices.

The missile was ready to launch another 9 February, but the only 19th appeared optimal weather conditions for launch. At the same time the team had to wait for the launch of not only the good weather, but also the simultaneous appearance of electron clouds + aurora borealis that the rocket could fly through this natural phenomenon, simultaneously performing the necessary measurements.

Due to the fact that the object of study moving at high speed (over 1000 km / s), data collected rocket require verification. Scientists need to understand whether the missile hit the target, and whether it was possible to make measurements in the region of interaction of the electron clouds and Northern Lights.

A measurement results help to predict "space weather" and its impact on communication and navigation equipment of the Earth.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/246324/