Space Weather and the Earth's Magnetosphere

[MolaKule]

Let's try and keep this apolitical.

In a locked thread this article was referred to,

https://www.businessinsider.com/new-aurora-borealis-crunch-earth-magnetic-field-2019-12

There seemed to be some confusion as to the cause of the compression or pinching of the Earth's magnetic field wrt to the solar wind.

Well, NASA has this video which explains that the Earth's magnetic field oscillates in similar fashion to a drum head, that is it can expand outward and pinch inwards as detected by space satellites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVSD9x598jw

Had the NASA intern consulted or referred to this NASA video it would seem there is no mystery.

Prior research needs to emphasized in the scientific curriculum.

 

[Cujet]

I've seen the aurora a great number of times in my various corporate jet flights. And yes, it can be absolutely stunning to see it snake and morph around, as it's obvious what's happening when you can see the clear details up close. I'm not sure I see or notice what's unusual here. Can anyone point it out? Is it the fast motion?

 

[PimTac]

Are these the Van Allen belts?

My Apple TV screensaver has one or two segments that show the Aurora from space. It's fascinating.

 

[John Done]

Space weather can be dangerous for spacecraft crews and, in some cases, for technological systems on the Earth's surface. During the magnetic storms caused by powerful solar flares in August 1982 and March 1989, pipelines were damaged electrical power systems failures, as well as explosions of transformers at telephone substations.