Canada to investigate auroras

2001/09/04 Imaz Amiano, Eneko - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Astronomia

Auroras are very curious phenomena for us. However, for those who live around the poles, perhaps striking or spectacular, but not curious. In fact, auroras are a phenomenon that occurs when the radiation emitted by the Sun enters the Earth's atmosphere. But most of the radiation, caused by earth magnetism, penetrates the atmosphere around the poles. So they look around the poles and not anywhere else.

Radiation excites atmospheric particles that, when they return to their normal state, produce light. Depending on the excited particle, light will be different (oxygen gives green light, red nitrogen and hydrogen as violet, blue or pink).

The Sun has a period of great activity every 11 years.

That is why they have chosen this year the research trip. This will be the first major scientific outlet of Aranzadi outside the Basque Country. Besides recording the images of the auroras, taking pictures and recording the possible sound (there is no light if they produce sound), the five members who will come to the place will measure the magnetism of the Earth, the radiation and the interference of the radio waves. In today's presentation they have stated that they do not intend to make great scientific discoveries, but they will have the opportunity to make known such a curious phenomenon for us, doing a informative and didactic work.

They will begin later this week and some will stay 20 days and another 30 days in the Canadian area of Yellowknife.

Aranzadi counts for this expedition with the collaboration of the Museum of Science Miramon, ETB and Urruti.