M_J_Helin
Well-Known Member
Last night, around 20:35, a research rocket was launched from Kiruna, Sweden. It had eight kilograms of barium on board, which was released at different stages of the flight to altitudes around 100-200 kilometers. It was ionized by sunlight, so it was possible to study the magnetic field as well as the movement of air currents in the upper atmosphere.
It was a close call. I was ready about five minutes before launch. At first, only the northern lights were visible, but then a couple of new stars lit up among them. Immediately after this, bright orbs emerged that slowly expanded. The orbs were a mixture of pink and yellow at first, but quickly turned green and finally blue.
The expanded clouds also quickly began to align with the field lines of the Earth's magnetic field. Great experience!
Unfortunately, the pictures are nothing more than documents. I didn't have time find a better foreground...
Then, it got darker and auroras grew brighter. This sadly lasted only for about 20 minutes, until heavy fog ended the night.
It was a close call. I was ready about five minutes before launch. At first, only the northern lights were visible, but then a couple of new stars lit up among them. Immediately after this, bright orbs emerged that slowly expanded. The orbs were a mixture of pink and yellow at first, but quickly turned green and finally blue.
The expanded clouds also quickly began to align with the field lines of the Earth's magnetic field. Great experience!
Unfortunately, the pictures are nothing more than documents. I didn't have time find a better foreground...
Then, it got darker and auroras grew brighter. This sadly lasted only for about 20 minutes, until heavy fog ended the night.
