There is a new and very rare Northern Lights phenomenon, Finnish researchers have called it "dunes"

An unprecedented auroral phenomenon, caused by areas with a higher density of oxygen atoms in the atmosphere, is the subject of a new study

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

An unprecedented, very particular auroral phenomenon has been the subject of study by Finnish researchers. It would likely be caused by areas with higher density of oxygen atoms in the atmosphere. This explanation, hitherto based on the observation of enthusiasts, now has the scientific support of new research.

The aurora, so particular as to seem almost magical, is actually an easily explainable chemical phenomenon, which arises when the electric particles radiated by the Sun (electrons) collide with the oxygen atoms and nitrogen particles present in the atmosphere. terrestrial. The collision excites the particles of the atmosphere, and this excitation is released in the form of light energy.

The observations made by researchers from the University of Helsinki gave scientific validity to the observations on a spectacular phenomenon called the Northern Lights dunes. The study compared photographs of this phenomenon taken in Finland, Norway and Scotland and compared with the data collected by satellites.

The very rare type of Northern Lights was first sighted in January 2016. Traces of the phenomenon can be found in photographs taken by numerous hobbyists. Thedunes'were observed for nearly four hours in a very large area, extending hundreds of kilometers. The photographs and videos were also collected with the help of the Internet and social media. One of the most fascinating contributions comes from a Scottish amateur, who captured the phenomenon in a time-lapse video. (Read: Northern lights form a phoenix in Icelandic skies (and seems to send us a message of rebirth))

There is a new and very rare Northern Lights phenomenon, Finnish researchers have called it

Some shots of the 'dunes' (Credit: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)

The new auroral dunes are a rather rare phenomenon, and their possible origin is particular. In fact, they could originate from anomalous concentrations of oxygen in the atmosphere.

The increased oxygen density could be brought about by an atmospheric wave also called a mesospheric wave. The electron concentration and temperature observations made in a recently published study would support this interpretation of the origin of the dunes.

Fonte: Advancing Earth and Space Science

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