Science

Why Did NASA Shoot a Rocket Through the Northern Lights?

NASA Project Shoots Rocket Through Northern Lights

(Photo via MSNBC)

While it may look like a futile attack by NASA against the northern lights, there was a purpose to the space agency shooting up a rocket into the Aurora Borealis Sunday night.

(Related: These are the top videos from last night’s stunning northern lights show)

MSNBC reports that the rocket was launched at Poker Flats Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, as part of NASA’s Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfven Resonator (MICA) project, which has several university and institutional collaborators. So what does MICA intend to find out? It looks to study electromagnetic energy called Alfven waves that create the type of light seen most frequently in the northern lights (one that is thick and horizontal). MSNBC has more:

The mechanism behind the Alfven-wave displays is thought to be like a guitar string that gets “plucked” by energy delivered to the magnetosphere by the solar wind, said Marc Lessard, a UNH space physicist and one of the leaders of the MICA campaign.

[...]

Physicists think the “string” takes the form of a beam of electrons accelerated by solar energy. “The process turns on an auroral arc, and then these waves develop on both sides of the resonator moving up and down. That’s the theory, and it appears to be valid, but there’s never been any really good measurement of the process in action. That’s what MICA is all about,” Lessard said.

NASA Project Shoots Rocket Through Northern Lights

View of the rocket going up as seen from an automated camera. (Photo: Donald Hampton via MSNBC)

Watch the MSNBC Nightly News report:

MSNBC reports scientists involved saying that the measurements taken by the rocket thus far look promising.

[H/T io9]

Comments (36)

  • BostonHarold
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:53pm

    Muslim outreach!

    Report Post »  
  • stinkybisquit
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 2:42pm

    Studying electromagnetic disturbances in the upper atmosphere to find out “how they affect satellites and communications, especially GPS.”

    Speaking of which, I wonder if anyone in the Middle East has developed an EMP yet…

    Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:07pm

      I appreciate the ‘romanticizing’ of the effect, but I’d appreciate a scientific explanation. That is if it isn‘t too far outside the ability of the ’scientists’.

      I know students are mostly too stupid to comprehend the theory or the purpose behind such an event. However, it‘s important to ’expose’ them to advanced technology, for their own benefit. Some will be able to eventually come to the table, but most will become welfare drones.

      I understand the point of WHY an instrument was launched through the Aurora. It’s not beyond the ability of my comprehension to do so. Interestingly, I also KNOW the only reason for doing it was to appropriate more funding for the government.

      Since we haven’t had a budget for more than 3 years, it would be ludicrous to assume such funding would be for a specific purpose outlined by this experiment.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • jwt
      Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:29pm

      much easier to use a gps jammer to scramble things

      Report Post »  
  • MittensKittens
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 2:15pm

    Now that is a cool a$$ picture!

    Report Post » MittensKittens  
  • TexBork
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 1:12pm

    Why shoot a rocket through the Northern Lights? Well, it makes a pretty picture don’t it? Of course there’s also, the notion of “Why not?” Wouldn’t it be cool to ride a rocket up and take a look at it and then safely return to Earth. That would be even cooler. I’ve never seen the “lights” in person, but hope to someday.

    Report Post » TexBork  
  • LauraPZ
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 12:12pm

    “Because they are there”, silly.

    Report Post »  
  • shogun459
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Why Did NASA Shoot a Rocket Through the Northern Lights?

    Because they were there?

    Because someone’s aluminium hat leaked?

    Report Post » shogun459  
  • sjohn70037
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 11:55am

    To get to the other side?

    Report Post » sjohn70037  
  • lisa2994
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:55am

    The northern lights are so beautiful we should just enjoy seeing them if we are allowed!

    Report Post » lisa2994  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:51am

    Another billion wasted on NASA and their worthless projects. Re-build broken highways, bridges or other public works REAL projects, or spend the money on finding a cure for cancer. Stop wasting $ on NASA.

    Report Post »  
    • shogun459
      Posted on February 23, 2012 at 12:02pm

      pretty lights pretty pretty

      Report Post » shogun459  
    • TheJeffersonian
      Posted on February 29, 2012 at 1:07pm

      Understanding how electronics function when exposed to this kind of electromagnetic action will help us protect future generations of technology from being destroyed on exposure. Protection from EMPs is extremely important, since currently an EMP detonated over the Midwest could shut off power to entire states.

      Report Post » TheJeffersonian  
  • Arbroath7
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:10am

    I remember back when I was stationed near Fairbaks in the mid-1970s that they were doing this type of research at Poker Flats. We provided some support to them and I had a very, very cold, (40 below that night) several hours long, experience related to this.

    Report Post » Arbroath7  
  • Atokaite
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:24am

    NOAA and there associated agencies have a good deal of such research active.
    For those that dont follow Sun Solar Storms etc. the String is a line of protons and nuetrinos direct from the Solar eruptions.
    There are multiple scientific sites to follow regarding such. Of immediate interest is the Solar Storm calculus for this year. Peaking in and around November/December 2012. IF Intense enough, the Communications that control our electoral process could be gone.
    Recall that this year is the Predicted (by multiple reliable historical sources) of the creation or ending of this current set of Physical and Pychical years. AKA The Mayan/Hopi/Nostrodamus predictions.
    Solar activity is prime to erupt during the Electoral Process. May well be the Chaldean Hand that wrote on the Oval Office wall, finding the US Weighed and Wanting.
    end
    Semper Fi

    Report Post » Atokaite  
  • JP4JOY
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:15am

    And the Blaze links us to MSNBC because…?

    Report Post » JP4JOY  
  • Nunyunuwi
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:53am

    You silly people, NASA just looking for answers to their questions and theory, such is science, they must apply actions to determine if their Faith in their theories is good or not.
    As to the norther / southern lights, they miss the obvious, they myths of ancients and current, They should just go and see, however the access has been denied (unless your government) to these zones for a honest search.
    http://www.thenewearth.org/InnerEarth.html

    The cause of the lights, are due to the openings in the Earths crust that have led to the Inner Worlds, light at times comes out of these 2 main openings and thus you get the lights in the night sky. Simple.
    We of the Ancient lore have known of this for a very long time, so silly to spend your $$$ in this way, just admit the possibility and come visit us, again.

    Imagination and an open mind lead to discovery, what was once myths of many civilizations once re discovered by current one’s then become fact again.
    One must ask what do you believe… all will be made known soon enough, just hang in there you surface dwellers, and try not to exterminate yourselves before we return.

    Report Post » Nunyunuwi  
    • FreedomsFury
      Posted on February 23, 2012 at 2:12pm

      Yeah and I am sure as you look up and see a grid pattern laid over your whole entire city from horizon to horizon of chemtrails and you say “NASA says these are just contrails just ice crystals so does my weatherman, okay thats what they are they told me” but wait are these ice crystals in contrails are they anti gravital or something how can they spray and it never dissapate but just keeps spreading over the entire sky. But hey just keep your head in the ground and never look up and I am sure when that rocket launch of a sub near catalina where you know that the only time you see anything like that is in a NASA rocket launch, or an ICBM launch, but what happens NASA roles out their mouthpiece Kaku who tells you that “oh this is just a contrail and the horizon is making it look bigger at base.” Outrageous It Is Time To Wake Up And Come To JESUS CHRIST Because evil Is Permiating And Making Itself Known Everyday.But You Can Have Peace In Your Heart While The World Is Seeking Out Evil Or Anyone “Be HE GOD Or Be he The devil”(to quote the U.N.spokesman) To Bring Us Out Of What Is Coming And Together Through It, By Seeking Good And There Is Only One Who Is Good And That Is GOD Almighty, Let The Love, Peace, And Grace Of JESUS CHRIST Rule In Your Heart.

      Report Post »  
  • huey6367
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 7:55am

    I dont think was a good use of tax payer dollars at this time. This is the kind of crap you do when there is more money than you know what to do with.

    Report Post »  
  • Joyzee
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 7:38am

    if your going to shoot a rocket, aim it at that iranian troll.

    Report Post »  
  • americansfightingforcommonsense
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 7:34am

    This what NASA has been reduced to since we no longer have a shuttle. This administration is destroying everything that makes us great and more secure as a nation.

    Report Post » americansfightingforcommonsense  
  • reconmarine
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 7:14am

    I wonder what this little gem cost us and how many mouths it could have fed.

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 7:14am

    Why Did NASA Shoot a Rocket Through the Northern Lights?
    Answer…To waste my tax dollars…

    If you are in any way keeping score…
    WE ARE BROKE!

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 4:37am

    Listen to the sun, it says Progressives suck.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 4:35am

    It’s because they afraid of God sending them to damnation.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on February 23, 2012 at 4:50am

      Have I mentioned lately that God is coming to send all you liars, cheats, and whores to hell where you belong. And know, we are not going to eat all the insects on earth before hand so you can’t come back as bugs. Maybe you’ll get lucky and come back as a lobster.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • lukerw
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 4:14am

    Sheldon & Lenard… was that you?

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • suz
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 3:25am

    while these images are beautiful, i don’t trust any reporting out of amessnbc — even something as innocuous as this may seem.

    Report Post » suz  
    • BehindBlueEyes
      Posted on February 23, 2012 at 5:23am

      Suz
      I know what you mean. Sometimes I flick the station to MSNBC just to see what the other side is thinking or whatever they do. Every time I come away thinking I’ve had a close encounter of the third kind.

      Report Post » BehindBlueEyes  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on February 23, 2012 at 1:08pm

      more like “close encounter of the worst kind”

      Report Post »  
  • Lando
    Posted on February 23, 2012 at 2:57am

    sweet

    Report Post » Lando  

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