According to Jeff Regester, an instructor of physics and astronomy at High Point University in North Carolina, “Auroras have been seen in the atmospheres of all the gas giant planets, which is not surprising, since these planets all have robust magnetic fields.”
“More surprisingly, auroras have also been discovered on both Venus and Mars, both of which have very weak magnetic fields,” Register added.
Watching the Northern Lights from Space
On August 26th astronaut Bob Hines tweeted that “August’s auroras resulting from the mid-month geo-magnetic storm/solar activity were just breathtaking. Words (and even photos) don’t do them justice, but I’m glad the time-lapses came out so well.”
August’s auroras resulting from the mid-month geo-magnetic storm/solar activity were just breathtaking. Words (and even photos) don’t do them justice, but I’m glad the time-lapses came out so well. Again, thanks to @RikyUnreal for the compilation! https://t.co/8xAsToFjmY
— Bob “Farmer” Hines (@Astro_FarmerBob) August 26, 2022
The view from the orbiting International Space Station often includes mysterious dancing auroras. And depending on the atmosphere of exoplanets researchers expect to see the aurora phenomenon.
Astronomers have even caught images of auroral activity in other solar systems. And in two October 2021 studies report these radio waves emitted by multiple red dwarfs, stars smaller and dimmer than our own sun.
