Solar Electrons, Auroras Linked to Geomagnetic Storms
Jan 8, 2004 — LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 8 -- Using an orbiting camera designed to block the light from the sun and stars, an international team of solar physicists has been able, for the first time, to directly image clouds of electrons surrounding Earth that travel from the sun during periods of solar flare activity. These electron clouds, a part of the solar atmosphere that extends millions of miles from the sun, cause geomagnetic storms that can disrupt communications satellites, expose high-flying aircraft...