Videoconference Sheds Light on Aurora Borealis Study

American and Canadian scientists explain NASA's THEMIS project to Northern audiences.

18 July 05

Scientists from American and Canadian universities spoke to audiences in Iqaluit, Yellowknife and Whitehorse via a U.S. Virtual Presence Post-sponsored videoconference about an ambitious ongoing study of the Aurora Borealis. The THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) project, a joint NASA and Canadian Space Agency study, aims to examine the Northern Lights from below and above using both ground-based and space-based observatory equipment.

Dr. Vassilis Angelopoulos and Dr. Stephen Mende of the University of California Berkeley, Dr. Eric Donovan of the University of Calgary and Dr. Christopher Russell of UCLA, explained the rationale behind THEMIS and took questions from the audience. The scientists want to learn through the study if it is possible to predict the time and intensity of the aurora.

Installation of ground-based observatories for THEMIS began in 2003. When completed, there will be 20 observatories established across North America, 16 in Canada's North and 4 in Alaska. 5 micro-satellites will also launch in October 2006 to conduct space-based observations. Once all equipment is in place, the THEMIS study will collect data for a 2-year period.

The four scientists expressed hope that the THEMIS project will encourage further scientific study of the Northern Lights. The THEMIS website includes suggestions on how to incorporate the study of the Aurora Borealis into school science programs. Additional information on the project and Canada's role can be found on the University of Calgary's THEMIS website. Opportunities also still exist for residents of the North to participate in site selection and monitoring of THEMIS ground-based observatories.

The THEMIS videoconference was an initiative of the U.S. North of Sixty Virtual Presence Post. Launched in March by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, the U.S. VPP plans to offer additional videoconferences on topics of interest to Northerners. U.S. Consulates General in Vancouver, Calgary, and Quebec City organize and host audiences for these videoconferences at the Northern capitals in their consular districts.

View of aurora activity from space