Author Information

Maya VaidyaFollow

Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?

Undergraduate

individual

What campus are you from?

Daytona Beach

Authors' Class Standing

Maya Vaidya, Junior

Lead Presenter's Name

Maya Vaidya

Faculty Mentor Name

Dr. Nykyri

Abstract

Substorm Activity seen in Aurora

Author: Maya Vaidya

Auroras occur when charged particles from solar activity strike Earth’s magnetosphere. The charged particles are transported to the magnetic poles of the Earth’s magnetic field. When the electrons from these particles drop to a lower energy state, they release photons which are seen in the form of what we call auroras. These charged particles reach the magnetic poles from solar wind and substorms. Substorms are brief fluctuations in the magnetosphere caused by the energy released from magnetic reconnection at the tail. Substorms occur as often as every couple of hours. The natural phenomenon called auroral beads are seen when these substorms from magnetic reconnection at the magnetotail occur. By studying the substorms, we can better understand the different types of auroras seen in the atmosphere.

Student Research Symposium. Project for Dr. Katariina Nykyri’s Space Weather (PS 214) course.

Keywords: aurora, substorms, magnetotail, magnetosphere, magnetic reconnection, magnetic field, plasma

Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.

No

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Substorm Activity in Aurora

Substorm Activity seen in Aurora

Author: Maya Vaidya

Auroras occur when charged particles from solar activity strike Earth’s magnetosphere. The charged particles are transported to the magnetic poles of the Earth’s magnetic field. When the electrons from these particles drop to a lower energy state, they release photons which are seen in the form of what we call auroras. These charged particles reach the magnetic poles from solar wind and substorms. Substorms are brief fluctuations in the magnetosphere caused by the energy released from magnetic reconnection at the tail. Substorms occur as often as every couple of hours. The natural phenomenon called auroral beads are seen when these substorms from magnetic reconnection at the magnetotail occur. By studying the substorms, we can better understand the different types of auroras seen in the atmosphere.

Student Research Symposium. Project for Dr. Katariina Nykyri’s Space Weather (PS 214) course.

Keywords: aurora, substorms, magnetotail, magnetosphere, magnetic reconnection, magnetic field, plasma

 

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