Scientists have discovered red auroras in the sky over Japan
Rare red auroras have been recorded in the sky over Japan, the height of which significantly exceeds the usual scientific indicators. The unusual phenomenon indicates the existence of hidden space storms, the power of which experts had previously underestimated. This was reported by Science Daily magazine.
Researchers from Hokkaido University and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology found that the glow spread at an altitude of 500 to 800 km above the Earth's surface. Usually, such phenomena in low latitudes are recorded in the range from 200 to 400 km. Traditionally, auroras occur when charged particles of the solar wind collide with oxygen atoms in the atmosphere, but the scale of the structures discovered came as a surprise to experts.
Tomohiro M. Nakayama, lead author of the study
We have found that red auroras can reach extremely high altitudes even during storms of moderate intensity. I was really surprised, because I did not expect such high auroras to appear even during storms of moderate intensity. This suggests that these storms may actually be stronger than traditional indexes indicate.
The team studied five cases of auroras in Hokkaido Prefecture recorded between June 2024 and March 2025. The study showed that dense streams of solar wind compressed the Earth's magnetosphere so much that the upper layers of the atmosphere warmed up and expanded upward. It was this process that pushed the area of red glow formation to an atypical height.
Scientists note that traditional methods of measuring weather in space could mask the real intensity of these events, which is why storms were mistakenly classified as moderate. For the accuracy of the analysis, experts combined satellite data with photographs taken by amateur astronomers throughout Japan. The images from different points made it possible to calculate the angles of incidence of light and accurately determine the height of the glow.
The discovery has important applied significance for the space industry. As the upper atmosphere expands, the drag increases, which affects satellites in low-Earth orbit. This can lead to an unplanned change in the trajectories of the vehicles and their loss of altitude.
Tomohiro M. Nakayama, lead author of the study
As the number of satellites in low-Earth orbit continues to grow, understanding these effects is becoming increasingly important. Our results can help improve space weather forecasting and ensure safer satellite operations.
On March 13, general practitioner, Candidate of Medical Sciences Andrey Kondrakhin spoke about the connection of meteorological dependence with hidden diseases. According to him, magnetic storms become an additional burden on the body, which is why previously unnoticeable disorders can manifest themselves. He drew attention to the fact that latent hypertension, migraines, headaches, pressure surges, heart failures or general malaise may worsen during such periods.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
