Stable Auroral Arc

Stable Auroral Arc:

The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Ladakh captured stunning images of a rare red-colored aurora known as a Stable Auroral Arc.

• Stable Auroral Arc is a rare atmospheric phenomenon which was observed during a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm.
• Unlike auroras, which occur when charged particles from space hit the atmosphere causing it to glow, SAR arcs form differently.
• They are an indication of heat energy leaking into the upper atmosphere from Earth’s ring current system, a donut-shaped circuit carrying millions of amps around our planet.
• During the recent geomagnetic storm, the ring current was energised by hours of intense geomagnetic activity, with energy dissipating into these SAR arcs.
• This global event was registered in many parts of the world.
• Aurora form is formed when the sun is ejecting charged particles from its corona, creating solar wind.
• When that wind slams into Earth’s ionosphere, the aurora is born.