NASA Launches Rockets to Study Northern Lights Impact

NASA launched two sounding rockets from Alaska on March 25, 2025, as part of its AWESOME mission, which aims to study the effects of auroral substorms on Earth's upper atmosphere. The rockets produced a stunning display of blue and white vapor trails against the Northern Lights and released payloads to measure magnetic perturbations and atmospheric changes at various altitudes. Scientists are investigating whether traditional explanations of vertical convection during auroras adequately describe the disturbances, or if acoustic-buoyancy waves play a larger role in mixing the atmosphere. Mark Conde, the lead investigator from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, suggests that auroral energy may impact a broader area than previously understood, which has implications for space weather forecasting. A third rocket launch is expected to follow soon, continuing this critical research. The results could enhance our understanding of atmospheric behavior and improve satellite navigation systems affected by space weather.