Scientists registered a new type of the Northern lights

The unusual undulating glow was first discovered a few years ago by amateur astronomers. After a while, a physicist Minna Palmroth from the University of Helsinki paid attention to it.

According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, photos of the phenomenon were studied in detail, but the scientific community was in no hurry to announce the discovery — the radiance did not fit into any of the known categories. Physicists together with enthusiastic researchers continued to “catch” the glow. Once they were able to analyze it in the real time mode.

According to Palmroth, the “dunes” appear at the altitude of about 100 kilometers in the upper part of the mesosphere. The phenomenon, which was recorded only seven times so far, was seen simultaneously in Finland and Sweden.  

As the physicist explains, the glow is an example of what is called a “mesospheric channel”. It occurs when streams of oxygen atoms in the atmosphere begin to interact with the solar wind. At the same time, the oxygen density fluctuates greatly, what gives a wavy, sand dune-like effect of radiance.

In spite of the official recognition of the new type of the Northern lights, as the scientists note, the study of features of its origin will be continued.

The video can be found here: https://sever-press.ru/2020/01/29/uchenye-zaregistrirovali-novyj-tip-severnogo-sijanija-video/