A recent spectacle of a luminous ring of light over central Alaska on 29 March, 2025 was not a mysterious phenomenon, but rather the result of a scientific experiment conducted as part of the AWESOME project. Mark Conde, a professor of space physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, launched three sounding rockets towards the auroras to study the atmosphere’s response. The ring was created by the third rocket and reached heights of 96 to 120 kilometers with a diameter of 24 kilometers, making it an unmissable sight.
The goal of the AWESOME project is to understand how auroras cause the atmosphere to boil and affect communication, navigation, and spacecraft operations. Normally, the thermosphere has a reverse temperature gradient that halts convection, but auroras can ignite a fire beneath it, causing it to boil. The data collected from the AWESOME sounding rockets will provide valuable insights into these processes and their implications for satellite endurance and navigation.
The success of the mission is anticipated to shed light on these questions and contribute to a better understanding of the auroras’ atmospheric impact. Stay tuned for more updates as the results of the AWESOME project are analyzed. For more information on the project, visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute’s website.
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Photo credit www.yourweather.co.uk
