Science Mission Directorate
Understanding the Sun, Heliosphere, and Planetary Environments as a single connected system is a goal of the Heliophysics Research Program.
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The dancing lights of the aurora provide spectacular views on the ground, but also capture the imagination of scientists who study incoming energy and particles from the sun. Aurora are one effect of such energetic particles, which can speed out from the sun both in a steady stream called the solar wind and due to giant eruptions known as coronal mass ejections or CMEs. After a trip toward Earth that can last two to three days, the solar particles and magnetic fields cause the release of particles already trapped near Earth, which in turn trigger reactions in the upper atmosphere in which oxygen and nitrogen molecules release photons of light. The result: the Northern and Southern lights.
NASA's suite of heliophysics spacecraft track how events on the sun affect near-Earth space, including several missions dedicated to aurora studies. Auroras are but one symptom of a larger space weather system in which solar material and radiation can affect Earth's own magnetic environment and block radio communications, disturb onboard satellite computers, or -- at their worst -- cause electrical surges in power grids.
Aurora: Fabled Glowing Lights of the Sun-Earth Connection (PDF)
Live from the Aurora: Educational Guide (PDF)
All Grades - Exploring the Earth's Magnetic Field (PDF)
Grades 6-9 - Exploring Magnetism
Grades 9 - 12 - Exploring Magnetism on Earth
Paintings in the Sky
Grades 7-8 - Northern Lights Workbook (PDF)