In the sky of Norway were dancing jellyfish

On Friday evening, April 5, scientists from the Space center, Andoya launched two sounding rockets into the Aurora Borealis in Northern Norway. When they sprayed chemicals in the atmosphere, the sky is fantastic. Frank Olsen photographed like jellyfish blue figures dancing on the beach near the Norwegian town of Andenes.

The name of the rocket — AZURE — a reduction from the Auroral Zone Upwaylling Rocket Experiment. The purpose of the experiment is the measurement of winds and currents in the ionosphere, the electrically charged layer of Earth's atmosphere where the polar lights. In particular, scientists want to find out how the energy of the lights can extend down to the Ground and affect the lower atmosphere.

The missiles were used two chemical indicators: trimethylaluminium (TMA) and the mixture of the barium/strontium. These compounds create colored clouds that allow you to visually monitor the flow of neutral and charged particles. According to NASA, which funded the experiment, emitted chemicals are not dangerous to inhabitants of the region.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»