image 20-May-2013 10:03:08

Accelerated Electrons Responsible for Aurora

Date: 09 February 2007
Satellite: Cluster
Depicts: Illustration of aurora mechanism
Copyright: ESA

Artistic view of electrons, responsible for aurora, spiralling down magnetic field lines. The U-shaped potential structure illustrates the region where electrons get accelerated on their way down to the upper atmosphere where they collide with neutral atoms and molecules, which in turn produce the aurora light show.


Last Update: 09 February 2007

For further information please contact: SciTech.editorial@esa.int

See also

  • New insights in the auroral electrical circuit (http://sci.esa.int/jump.cfm?oid=40651)