Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Auroras Near the Magnetic Poles 
Name: bruce s maccallum
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1993 - 1999
Question:
Why do auroras appear near the magnetic poles? Describe the ionosphere.

Replies:
Ionosphere is the uppermost layer of atmosphere. It is completely ionized (hence the name ionosphere) by the radiation from the Sun and cosmic rays.

Near magnetic poles, the lines of magnetic field (of Earth) enter the atmosphere. Charged particles emitted by the Sun move along the lines of mag. field. Therefore they enter the atmosphere where the lines do -- at the magnetic poles. Here they interact with a atmosphere and produce Aurora.

Jasjeet


Click here to return to the Astronomy Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory
n b