Loading video.
VIDEO: The famed northern and southern lights have been studied for millennia, but they still hold secrets. In a new study, physicists led by the University of Iowa describe a new. view more
Credit: Riley Troyer, University of Iowa
For millennia, humans in the high latitudes have been enthralled by auroras the northern and southern lights. Yet even after all that time, it appears the ethereal, dancing ribbons of light above Earth still hold some secrets.
In a new study, physicists led by the University of Iowa report a new feature to Earth s atmospheric light show. Examining video taken nearly two decades ago, the researchers describe multiple instances where a section of the diffuse aurora the faint, background-like glow accompanying the more vivid light commonly associated with auroras goes dark, as if scrubbed by a giant blotter. Then, after a short period of time, the blacked-out section suddenly reappears.
UI physicist wins NSF CAREER award
By: Richard C. Lewis | 2020.12.14 | 05:04 pm
A University of Iowa physicist won funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to progress her academic, research, and teaching career.
Allison Jaynes
Allison Jaynes, assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, won an NSF CAREER award. She will receive $682,000 over five years to investigate an atmospheric phenomenon known as pulsating aurora and how these auroras tie in with the Van Allen radiation belts that encircle Earth. The Van Allen belts are named after longtime distinguished UI physicist James Van Allen, who first discovered them in 1958.