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Cause of Aurora Borealis Confirmed

An anonymous reader writes "There are reports that satellites have aided scientists in confirming why the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) exists. 'New data from NASA's Themis mission, a quintet of satellites launched this winter, found the energy comes from a stream of charged particles from the sun flowing like a current through twisted bundles of magnetic fields connecting Earth's upper atmosphere to the sun. The energy is then abruptly released in the form of a shimmering display of lights.'"

11 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. It's TWUE! by interiot · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm sure the electric universe guys will have a field day with this...

    1. Re:It's TWUE! by deft · · Score: 3, Funny

      "I'm sure the electric universe guys will have a field day with this..."

      I'd say they will have a magnetic field day with this one.

      --

      There's nothing Intelligent about Intelligent Design.
  2. Oblig. by Xinef+Jyinaer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Aurora Borealis? At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?

    --
    Some days I just get bored and Troll post all the memes I can think of...
    1. Re:Oblig. by operagost · · Score: 3, Funny

      Mmm... steamed hams.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  3. Re:Obviously by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 3, Funny
    You've RUINED my Christmas. I always thought it was Santa who caused the lights.

    Sincerely,

    Billy Widget, Age 8, Cleveland Ohio

    P.S. I bet you're going to tell me next that there is no Easter Bunny, storks don't deliver babies, and Microsoft sells flawless software. I'm not THAT dumb.

  4. Yes, but what about the alternatives? by commisaro · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about the "Intelligent Twinkling" explanation? Scientists seem completely unwilling to even CONSIDER this possibility!

  5. And that means: by nofrak · · Score: 4, Funny

    We still know what we already knew. Tonight I can finally sleep easy!

  6. Nonsense. by Moofie · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's Dust.

    Where's MY Panserbjørne?

    --
    Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
  7. Re:The More Important Discovery by Shining+Celebi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Every single person who doubts that this is more than coincidental can surely be excused for the sole reason that the implications are kind of hard to get a full handle on. It's really kind of shocking.

    Why yes, I suppose it would be.

  8. Re:What? by bpsbr_ernie · · Score: 5, Funny

    I always thought it was fairy dust or glitter from the angels... obviously, I was wrong, its the sun farting in our general direction...

  9. lyrics by grayNOISEeffect · · Score: 3, Funny

    "flowing like a current through twisted bundles of magnetic fields"

    Aren't those the lyrics to some 90s trance song?