Solar Radiation, Planetary Magnetism, and the Aurora

The sun is constantly emitting energy. This energy drives countless processes in our solar system, especially on earth. The sun
heats up our planet, drives our weather cycles, and allows life to take place on earth. One of the more interesting processes, and one that holds the
reverence of many, is the aurora. This naturally occurring light show results from the interactions of energy from the sun, our planets magnetic field, and
high-altitude gases. This process is not unique to our planet; many of our neighboring planets exhibit a similar light show in their upper atmosphere. In
these pages we will be taking a closer look at the physical process we know as the aurora.


The aurora of Jupiter's north pole
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Solar Radiation - Solar Wind - The Magnetosphere - The Aurora - Bibliography