A mesmerising show of Aurora Australis (southern lights) glows over the Concordia analysis station in Antarctica, with yellow hues shimmering close to the horizon and crimson lights stretching upwards into the huge polar sky.
These lovely colors end result from the interplay of charged particles from the Solar with gases in our ambiance, guided by Earth’s magnetic area to the polar areas. Inexperienced aurorae, the most typical show, kind at altitudes between 100 and 200 km, the place oxygen atoms are extremely concentrated and require much less power to emit mild. In periods of excessive photo voltaic exercise, charged particles change into extra energetic and might work together with oxygen at larger altitudes above 200 km, the place oxygen atoms are much less concentrated and want extra power to emit mild. This larger power corresponds to mild with an extended wavelength, producing the beautiful crimson aurorae. The gorgeous yellow hues seen on the horizon happen when inexperienced and crimson aurorae combine in areas of overlap.
Standing beneath this unimaginable pure phenomenon is Jessica Studer, the ESA-sponsored medical physician for Concordia’s 2024 winter-over. Jessica lived with a small staff in full isolation through the harsh Antarctic winter the place the Solar would not rise for 4 months and temperatures plunge as little as –85°C. Concordia is without doubt one of the most distant locations on Earth; the closest people at Vostok station are 600 km away, making it extra remoted than the Worldwide Area Station. The station is an unparalleled platform for analysis in fields like astronomy, glaciology, and human physiology, providing insights into how people adapt to excessive isolation, chilly, and darkness—situations that mirror these confronted by astronauts in house.
The aurorae seen right here had been captured in Might 2024, throughout a interval of heightened photo voltaic exercise related to the continuing photo voltaic exercise most, a section within the Solar’s 11-year cycle that will increase the depth and frequency of auroral shows. These vibrant skies are simply one of many perks of residing and dealing in Concordia, alongside the chance to contribute to groundbreaking science in a singular and difficult setting.
Would you prefer to expertise these breathtaking sights your self? ESA is at present accepting purposes for a medical physician to spend the winterover of 2026 at Concordia station – apply right here!
