SPACE WEATHER ADVISORIES
type: Concept

AURORA FORECASTS
type: Concept
in scheme: sciencekeywords
definition: Forecasts that help scientists predict the occurance of aurora. An aurora is the bright emission of atoms and molecules in Earth's polar upper atmosphere that appears as permanent, ring shaped belts called the auroral oval around the north and south magnetic poles. Aurora are associated with a global electrical discharge process triggered by solar wind disturbances. The emissions are caused by energetic particles from Earth's magnetotail region impinging on the upper atmosphere. Aurora occur about 70 miles above Earth's surface. Contrary to popular belief, they do not produce any sounds.