NASA Sounding Rocket Launches into Alaskan Aurora

Images

Thursday, 09 November 2023

A sounding rocket launched from Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, Nov. 8, 2023, carrying the DISSIPATION mission. The rocket launched into aurora and successfully captured data to understand how auroras heat the atmosphere and cause high-altitude winds.

Image Credit: NASA/Lee Wingfield

Planetary Positions

22.11.2024 at 03:02:03 UTC

Planet	Longitude
The Sun	00 Sag 17' 55"
The Moon	19 Leo 44' 55"
Mercury	21 Sag 31' 04"
Venus	12 Cap 17' 51"
Mars	04 Leo 46' 35"
Jupiter	18 Gem 20' 22" R
Saturn	12 Pis 43' 49"
Uranus	25 Tau 01' 58" R
Neptune	27 Pis 12' 09" R
Pluto	00 Aqu 02' 31"

Solar Status

BZ Status:	-5
Proton Density:	4.46
Proton Speed:	384.5 k/sec
KP Status:	3.00

Type	Nov 22	Nov 23	Nov 24
Active	25%	25%	25%
Minor	15%	15%	15%
Moderate	1%	1%	1%
Strong	1%	1%	1%
Kp Index Prediction
00-03UT	2.00	2.33	2.33
03-06UT	1.67	3.00	2.67
06-09UT	2.33	2.33	2.33
09-12UT	1.00	2.00	2.33
12-15UT	1.33	1.33	2.00
15-18UT	1.67	1.33	2.00
18-21UT	3.00	1.67	2.00
21-00UT	3.00	2.33	1.67
Solar Activity
Solar activity returned to low levels with only C-class flares observed. Region 3901 (S07E24, Dai/beta-gamma) was responsible for nearly all of the flare activity throughout the period. This region exhibited growth in its trailing spot area and maintained its gamma configuration. New Regions 3903 (S10W17, Cai/beta), 3904 (S13W63, Cao/beta), and 3905 S09E77, Hax/alpha) developed and were numbered this period. The remaining regions were either stable or displayed slight decay.
Solar Wind
Solar wind parameters were indicative of a likely SSBC as the anticipated negative polarity CH HSS moved into a geoeffective position. Solar wind speeds averaged near 400 km/s, total field strength ranged between 2-10nT, and the Bz component fluctuated between +/-7 nT. The phi angle was predominantly in a negative position, with occasional oscillations into a positive orientation.
Energetic Particle
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was normal to moderate levels. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux reached S1 (Minor) levels, reaching a peak value of 43 pfu thus far. The 100 MeV proton levels reached a peak value of 7 pfu at 21/2010 UTC.

NASA Sounding Rocket Launches into Alaskan Aurora

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