I m a g e r f o r M a g n e t o p a u s e - t o - A u r o r a G l o b a l E x p l o r a t i o n
IMAGE Tracks Space Storms to Earth's Magnetic Tail
IMAGE scientists have been able to track the events that lead to aurora and which have their
origins in the magnetotail. IMAGE neutral-atom detectors identified high-energy
neutral atoms coming from a distance of 12Re. The intensity of these particles is
correlated with the ebb and flow of auroral storms. When combined with data from
the GOES and LANL satellites, a complete time history of a 'substorm injection'
event can be traced out from start to finish.
Ring current - A collection of charged
particles that flow around Earth, that are especially prominent during major
solar storm events. The particles typically carry energies between 10,000 and
100,000 Volts.
Magnetotail - The comet-like tail
of Earth's magnetosphere caused by the solar wind. Changes in the magnetic
energy of this region lead to 'explosive' releases of energy that accelerate
particles and give rise to the polar aurora.
