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Cause of Aurora Borealis Confirmed

Posted by Zonk on from the it's-not-eskimo-ghosts-more's-the-pity dept.

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.'"

6 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. 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...
  2. 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!

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

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

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

    It's Dust.

    Where's MY Panserbjørne?

    --
    Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
  5. 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.

  6. 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...