Answers on frequently asked questions around the topic of northern lights.

On this page I am trying to answer several questions about "the northern lights and the solar activity".
This is not a scientific discussion but a collection of facts and definitions as well as answers on frequently asked questions.
The list is in a process of constant grow and will never be really concluded.
I hope that everyone can understand most of the answers. All informations have been gathered with my non-professional knowledge of the processes in conjuction with the aurora since I saw the big auroral display on 2000 April 06th. I cannot guarantee the absolut correctness of the given statements. But most of them are somewhat plausible so I do not expect bigger errors.
And now have fun while thinking about the different themes!

Ulrich



  • What are the northern lights?


  • What can one extract from the data on solarwind velocity, temperature and density?


  • What role plays the interplanetary magnetic field?


  • What are M- and X-class flares?


  • What additional classifications are given with solar flares?


  • What is a proton flare?


  • What is a coronal mass ejection (CME) and how does it look like?


  • What is a coronal hole?


  • What is a magnetic delta configuration and how can we detect it?


  • What information are given by the different images of the SOHO probe?


  • What information can be extracted from solar radio emissions?


  • What is a magnetopause crossing?


  • What ist the heliospheric current sheet (HCS)?


  • to be continued...


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