On March 25, 2025, residents of Alaska witnessed an incredible spectacle: two NASA rockets launched from the Poker Flat spaceport painted the night sky with blue flares and white swirls of steam against the background of the aurora. It was part of the AWESOME experiment, the goal of which is to understand the effects of magnetic storms on the Earth’s thermosphere — the upper layer of the atmosphere at 80-560 kilometers altitude.
The thermosphere directly affects satellite communications, navigation, and spacecraft operations. Energy from polar lights can disrupt its stability by changing the composition of the ionosphere. “This research will help create more accurate space weather models,” emphasized Mark Conde, a geophysicist.
The three rockets were scheduled to be launched three hours apart, but the third rocket was left on the ground due to a Malemute engine malfunction. The first two successfully studied the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetic field. Scientists chose for the experiment the time after the vernal equinox, when the orientation of the planet favors the penetration of solar particles. In addition, the Sun is in the maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, which increases the aurora.
How are the colors of the auroras formed?
The hues of an aurora depend on the altitude:
- Green light (60-190 km) is the result of solar particles colliding with oxygen.
- The red color appears above 240 km with the participation of rare oxygen molecules.
The blue flares from the rockets, created by chemical reactions, were a contrasting addition to the natural “light show”.
Data from the AWESOME experiment will help predict the effects of solar storms, protecting satellites and power grids. The next launches are planned to take place during periods of increased solar activity.
Earlier we reported on the kind of auroras occurring on different planets in the Solar System.
According to Forbes
