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News and Views
Nature 424, 734-735 (14 August 2003) | doi:10.1038/424734a
Atmospheric physics: A new dawn for aurora
Patrick T. Newell1
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Abstract
A new type of aurora has been observed. Although similar in shape to conventional aurora, it lacks their intensity and dynamics, instead rotating quietly with the Earth.
'Aurora' is the term given to the glow created when energetic particles from space strike Earth's upper atmosphere, or ionosphere. Aurora — also known as the northern and southern lights (aurora borealis and aurora australis, respectively) — usually occur within rings around the magnetic poles.
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