Northern Lights in the classroom
A new model created by Lancaster University space scientist Dr Jim Wild is bringing the experience of the Northern Lights into the classroom.
The 鈥淎urora in a box鈥� which recreates the physics involved in the creation of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, will be used to demonstrate how electrically charged particles in the atmosphere create the spectacle seen at the earth鈥檚 poles.
Dr Wild, a 麻豆淫院icist studying the space environment and the links between the Sun, the Earth and other planets, was awarded a grant from Research Councils UK to create theoutreach tool to explain the research to non-specialist audiences.
鈥淭he science of the aurora is basically the same as that of a neon lamp, like any found in shops and advertising displays鈥�.
鈥淚 really like the idea that something really familiar, and something that seems so magical, are exactly the same physics鈥�
Auroras are linked to the solar wind, a flow of ions and electrons continuously flowing outward from the Sun. The Earth's magnetic field traps these particles, most of which travel toward the poles where they are accelerated towards the Earth. Collisions between these particles, and atmospheric atoms and molecules, causes energy releases in the form of streams or arches of coloured light.
The 鈥淎urora in a box鈥� consists of glass tubes full of gas through which electrons move, causing the gas to fluoresce exactly as it does at the Earth鈥檚 poles.
Dr Wild uses the model to help him explain his research to children in schools, at university events and at national science events such as National Science and Engineering Week鈥檚 Big Bang event in Manchester last year.
Research into what causes auroras has many implications.
鈥淔or a start it鈥檚 just really interesting science, but it also has very practical uses,鈥� says Dr Wild.
鈥淲e use a lot of technology in space, like communications and positioning satellites, and those satellites are sometimes outside the protection of the Earth鈥檚 magnetic field. They鈥檙e therefore more vulnerable to changes in space weather and can be damaged or have their services disrupted. Being able to predict this would be very useful.鈥�
Provided by Lancaster University
