Mystery of Auroras Solved? Video -- National Geographic

Mystery of Auroras Solved? Video July 24, 2008—For the first time, scientists may have found the triggers of space "explosions" that result in unusually bright auroras, also called the northern lights and southern lights.Welcome to the National Geographic video player.Video Sections

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Space & Tech News
- $20-Million Contest Announced - April 2, 2008—Scotland plans to award 10 million pounds (about 20 million U.S. dollars) for the first viable technology to harness the sea's energy for electricity.
- "Death Star" Galaxy a Bully? - December 18, 2007—A supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy is blasting another galaxy with a violent energy jet. NASA images capture the display.
- "Emotional" Robots Debut - July 30, 2008—A childlike robot and six-legged machine display the latest in human-robot interaction in London. One responds to touch with its "heart." The other robot focuses on faces.
- "Ghostly" Audio Is Oldest Known - March 31, 2008—"It's ghostly. It's magic, " said an expert who heard the 1860 French recording of a human voice. The audio predates Edison's recording by 17 years.
- "Kite Ship" to Use Wind Power - January 17, 2008—Not a sailboat and not a parachute—this German-built ship aims to save fuel by towing a kite to capture wind power high above the water.
- "Lawn Mower" Dinosaur Debuts - November 15, 2007—Lawn mower to the ferns of Africa, the 500-toothed Nigersaurus was unlike any other. A reconstruction goes on display today at National Geographic in Washington.
- "Robo-Fish" Flap Plastic Fins - March 17, 2008—Electricity stimulates artificial "muscle" in new robotic fish. "When you excite them with electricity they change size...they look alive, " says one scientist.
- "Toilet" House Makes a Point - November 12, 2007—A South Korean house built to look like a toilet is no joke. Its owner aims to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation.
- 'Mutant' Mosquitoes Created - June 20, 2008— U.K. scientists are genetically modifying mosquitoes to be resistant to malaria, which kills millions annually. But some experts fear these supermosquitoes would upset the ecosystem.
- 1st Antarctic Airliner Landing - December 13, 2007—An Australian passenger jet touched down on an ice runway in Antarctica this week. Flights for scientific teams are to begin next week.
- Antarctica Images Best Yet - November 28, 2007—A nearly cloudless satellite image is the most geographically accurate and true-color map of the southern continent—at ten times the resolution of previous NASA views.
- Arctic Ice in "Death Spiral" - September 17, 2008—NASA animations show dramatic Arctic ice melt again in 2008, which saw the second smallest Arctic sea ice cover on record, scientists announced this week.
- Asteroid Seen in Close Flyby - September 8, 2008—The space probe Rosetta made a close flyby of asteroid Steins, some hundreds of millions of miles from earth, and transmitted high-resolution photos.
- Astronauts Install New Lab - February 11, 2008—Two astronauts ventured from the International Space Station Monday to begin the planned seven-hour installation of the European Space Agency's 10-ton laboratory, Columbus.
- Astronauts Install New Tower - October 30, 2007—Astronauts install a solar power tower on the International Space Station and consider extending their mission.
- Astronauts on 2nd Space Walk - February 13, 2008—Atlantis Astronauts conduct the second of three planned space walks, this one to install the International Space Station's new nitrogen tank.
- Atom Smasher Safe, Physicists Say - June 30, 2008—Scientists say there is no chance that Europe's Large Hadron Collider will produce an apocalyptic black hole or deadly catastrophe when testing begins in August.
- Atom Smasher Starts Up - September 10, 2008—The biggest science experiment ever has begun underneath Europe. Scientists hope the Large Hadron Collider will recreate conditions like those just after the big bang.
- Bionic Eye Developed - April 22, 2008—A tiny camera can transmit images to the brain through the optic nerve, offering hope for restored vision to those blinded by disease.
- Bionic Eye Unveiled - May 7, 2008—Doctors in Australia believe the bionic eye they've created is safer than similar devices developed in other countries.
- Can Light Cure Arctic Blues? - January 3, 2008—Lapland's long winter nights can start with 2 p.m. sunsets. When so much darkness gets people down, bright lights can be used as therapy.
- Cheaper Solar? Just Add Steam - June 16, 2008— In the Israeli desert, a U.S.-Israeli team is testing a new technology that uses mirrors to harness the sun's rays and create electricity-producing steam.
- Chimps Outscore Humans - December 4, 2007—Young chimps beat humans and even college students in a series of cognitive tests to measure short-term memory, Japanese scientists are reporting.
- China Rocket Lifts Off - September 25, 2008—China launched three men into space Thursday on its most ambitious mission yet. One astronaut, called a "taikonaut," will attempt the country's first-ever spacewalk.
- China, Brazil Share Satellite - November 30, 2007—Satellites and ocean buoys help scientists understand changing weather, bringing some countries—like Brazil and China—together. Specialists were gearing up for major climate talks in Indonesia.
- Climate Change Satellite Launched - June 20, 2008—Early today NASA launched its new satellite, Jason 2, which will monitor how ocean masses move in an effort to understand climate change's effects.
- Commercial Jet Uses Biofuel - February 25, 2008—The first commercial jet flight powered with biofuel lands in Amsterdam. Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 747 used a biofuel mixture in one of its fuel tanks.
- Computer Viruses Shown as Art - March 7, 2008—They may cripple your desktop, but computer viruses can also be stunningly beautiful to look at, as an art exhibition in London shows.
- Could New Russian Line Leak? - November 20, 2007—The world's largest oil and gas project could be damaged by erosion and seismic activity, say environmentalists concerned about the Russian island that hosts the soon-to-be-completed pipelines and plant.
- Dental Robot "Feels" Pain - November 29, 2007—A new robot yelps when dental students drill too close to sensors that have been fitted where nerve endings would be.
- Dog Cloning Sparks Debate - July 25, 2008—A U.S. biotech company's auction fetched more than $135,000 each from four owners eager to clone their canines. Yet opponents say the technology is flawed.
- Double Arm Transplant a First - October 9, 2008—The world's first complete double arm transplant was performed successfully in Germany. The recipient, a farmer who lost his own arms in an accident, is doing well.
- Drug-Sniffing Dog Cloned - April 25, 2008—Officials in South Korea have high hopes for the noses of seven Labrador retrievers cloned from a star drug-sniffing canine.
- Electric Boost for Reefs - December 5, 2007—Electrical charges cause a chemical reaction that spurs growth in ailing coral.
- Electricity Made From Rain? - April 4, 2008—Nanotechnology scientists are working to generate electricity from raindrops. Could it be the ultimate form of clean energy?
- Elephant Sends Text Messages - November 5, 2008—A high-tech collar on a farm-raiding elephant in Kenya sends text messages when he crosses a virtual fence. Rangers then rush to shoo him away—safeguarduing both the elephant and crops.
- Fearless Mice Created in Japan - December 13, 2007—Researchers in Japan have genetically modified mice to make them unafraid of cats.
- First China Space Walk Imminent - September 23, 2008—China rolled out a Shenzhou spacecraft in preparation for Thursday's planned blastoff. The mission is expected to include the country's first space walk.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Cats Cloned - December 14, 2007—Scientists in South Korea have cloned cats that glow red when exposed to ultraviolet rays. The cats might someday help cure genetic diseases.
- Green Dream Machines Debut - July 22, 2008—By turns spacey, electric, and just plain cute, fuel-saving car designs from Ford, Saab, Mini, and others took center stage at the British International Motor Show.
- High-Tech Turtles Return to Sea - June 3, 2008—After being rescued by fishers, five sea turtles were equipped with mini-computers to help study behavior, then set free.
- Holograms Get Art "Talking" - March 19, 2008—Art comes "alive" in a South Korean hologram exhibit that includes 3-D animations of da Vinci's "Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa," the Associated Press reports.
- Homemade Trains as Transport - October 23, 2008—Built with bamboo and tiny engines, do-it-yourself trains are ferrying Cambodians who, faced with unreliable public transportation, took matters into their own hands.
- Huge Quake Lab Smashes Buildings - September 22, 2008—A giant shaking platform in a warehouse-size Japanese lab simulates earthquakes on full-size models of buildings, and it's a smashing success.
- Huge Space Lab Installed - June 4, 2008—Watch spacewalking astronauts and robot arms remove a bus-size Japanese lab from the shuttle Discovery and attach the module to the International Space Station.
- Human Waste Powers Streetlights - December 10, 2007—A bio-gas plant in an Indian town generates 3,000 watts of electricity a day—from human waste.
- India Heads to Moon - October 22, 2008—Aiming to redraw lunar maps, India has launched its first moon mission, joining other countries in a new space race.
- Iran Pushes Science - February 5, 2008—Embryonic stem cell research, animal cloning, and a controversial nuclear program are part of Iran's efforts to establish itself as a science and technology leader.
- Iran Reports Rocket Launch - February 4, 2008—Iran says it opened a new space center Monday and launched the country's first rocket to reach space, according to state-run media.
- Jets Mined for Parts, Homes - July 16, 2008—At a major aircraft trade show in England, recycling of plane parts is on the agenda—while in California, yesterday's 747 is tomorrow's house.
- Korean Astronaut Blasts Off - April 8, 2008—South Korea's first astronaut, a woman named Yi So-yeon, and two cosmonauts took off in a Russian spacecraft for the International Space Station on Tuesday.
- Korean Astronaut Docks at ISS - April 11, 2008—The Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying Yi So-yeon and two Russian cosmonauts docked successfully Thursday with the International Space Station.
- Lab Probes Universe's Secrets - May 12, 2008—In a laboratory under the Swiss Alps, a 17-mile (27-kilometer) circular particle accelerator—the world's largest—may help answer the oldest questions known to humans.
- Largest Ferris Wheel Debuts - April 16, 2008—Amid colorful fireworks, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong inaugurated the more than 500-foot-tall (150-meter-tall) Singapore Flyer, billed as the world's largest observation wheel.
- Largest Ferris Wheel Opens - February 28, 2008—At 541 feet tall, the Singapore Flyer is the world's largest observation wheel. The island city's sudden wind gusts were a challenge for designers.
- Man Flies Across English Channel - September 29, 2008—Yves Rossy, known as Fusion Man or Jet Man, flew across the English Channel using only the jetpack and wings strapped to his back.
- Mars Lander Begins Mission - May 27, 2008—NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has begun sending back images from the red planet after a smooth landing on Sunday.
- Mexico Lakes Linked to Mars? - October 17, 2008—A northern Mexico valley may hold the first human footprint in the Americas, and could even provide the basis for discovering organisms on Mars, according to a NASA scientist.
- Module Added to Space Station - October 29, 2007—Astronauts break in the new addition to the International Space Station, conduct a second space walk, and plan for a third.
- Monkey Embryo Cloned - November 15, 2007—Stem cells from cloned monkey embryos cause cautious optimism in scientists who say the advance may eventually lead to better human medical treatments.
- Monkeys' Brains Run Robotic Arm - May 30, 2008—Just by thinking, monkeys were able to control a robot arm to feed themselves. Watch this groundbreaking feat of mind over matter.
- Mystery of Auroras Solved? - July 24, 2008—For the first time, scientists may have found the triggers of space "explosions" that result in unusually bright auroras, also called the northern lights and southern lights.
- NASA Asteroid Mission Launch - September 27, 2007—NASA's DAWN spacecraft took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, this morning, kicking off its eight-year mission to study a pair of asteroids beyond Mars.
- Needle-Free Injection Invented - September 25, 2008—Needle-free syringes use air pressure or gases to deliver drugs, and a Japanese inventor says he's gone even further to cut costs and improve efficiency.
- New NASA Moon Rover Revealed - October 23, 2008—NASA's new prototype lunar rover improves on the original moon buggies by incorporating 35 years of technology, including an anti-rollover mechanism used in SUVs.
- New Robot Pharmacist - March 13, 2008—A drug-dispensing robot is filling many of the prescriptions at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Makers say the machine is more reliable than humans.
- Orphaned Grizzlies Released - July 15, 2008—Two GPS-tagged bears, nicknamed Suzy and Johnny, have been released in Canada as part of a look at whether captive-born bears can flourish in the wild.
- Ozone Hole Peaks Over Antarctica - November 3, 2008—The Antarctic ozone hole reached its 2008 peak at 10.5 million sq. miles (27.2 million sq. kilometers), short of the 2006 record size of 10.6 million sq. miles (27.5 million sq. kilometers), according to NASA scientists.
- Partial Solar Eclipse Down Under - February 7, 2008—See the partial eclipse of the sun that delighted sky-watchers in Australia and New Zealand on February 7.
- Polar Probe to Land on Mars - May 22, 2008—NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander is scheduled to touch down near the planet's north pole Sunday and begin its search for signs of life on Mars.
- Rare Full Lunar Eclipse - February 21, 2008—The moon was covered by a reddish shadow visible throughout the Americas and elsewhere in the last total lunar eclipse until December 2010.
- Rare Nighttime Shuttle Launch - March 11, 2008—NASA's first nighttime launch since 2006 sent Endeavour on a 16-day space station mission. Astronauts will install a Canadian robot and a Japanese storage unit.
- Rat Heart Grown - January 15, 2008—Scientists re-created the heart of a rat and started it beating. The breakthrough could lead to the building of human organs.
- Robo-Toilets Take Japan - June 26, 2008—Equipped with buttons, gadgets, and widgets, Japan's hi-tech toilets can baffle the uninitiated.
- Robot Wars: Japan vs. S. Korea - June 19, 2008—Four leading Japanese robotic companies have joined forces to outcompete South Korea, which recently announced legislation to develop more robots for common household use.
- Robots "Express Themselves" - September 10, 2008—Developers have created robots that appear to make human expressions and show human-like emotions.
- Rocket Man Makes Debut Flight - May 16, 2008—Real-life rocket man Yves Rossy soared through the Alps this week on his first demonstration flight with a self-made flying contraption.
- Saturn Moon Flyby Coming Monday - August 8, 2008—To get the best look yet at the ice geysers and fissures on Saturn's moon Enceladus, NASA's Cassini spacecraft will fly within 30 miles of the satellite.
- Scientists Remake Bach Face - March 4, 2008—Forensic computer-modeling has helped to reconstruct Johan Sebastian Bach's head. Scientists say friends of the German composer—dead nearly 160 years—would recognize the new replica.
- Scientists Try to Train Fish - April 30, 2008—To help the ailing U.S. fishing industry, scientists are trying to train fish to respond to underwater sound, making them easier to catch.
- Seal Sends Text Messages - October 31, 2008—A monk seal, raised in captivity in Greece, has been released into the wild with a cell phone that sends text messages about her location.
- Shuttle Astronauts Space Walk - October 26, 2007—Discovery shuttle astronauts begin the difficult job of attaching an Italian-made module to the International Space Station. The project is expected to take ten days.
- Shuttle Discovery Launches - October 23, 2007—The space shuttle Discovery launched Tuesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a mission to expand the International Space Station.
- Shuttle Docks With Station - June 2, 2008—The NASA space shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station Monday, bringing a huge new Japanese lab.
- Shuttle Lands at Night - March 27, 2008—Completing the 22nd night landing in shuttle history, NASA's Endeavour landed successfully last night at Kennedy Space Center.
- Shuttle Lands in Florida - February 20, 2008—Atlantis and its crew safely landed at Kennedy Space Center, after the successful delivery and installation of a new lab for the International Space Station.
- Snow Falls on Mars - September 30, 2008— NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected snow falling from Martian clouds, and its soil testing shows further evidence of the planet's watery past, scientists say.
- Solar Eclipse Coming August 1 - July 22, 2008—Parts of the Northern Hemisphere will soon see a rare total solar eclipse. Find out how it works, where to watch, and more.
- Solar Flares Cause "Sunquakes" - April 23, 2008—A new study reveals solar flares cause seismic waves to ripple across the sun's surface. The findings will help scientists study other stars.
- Space Shuttle Atlantis Launches - February 7, 2008—NASA launched the space shuttle Atlantis Thursday afternoon for a mission to attach the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.
- Space Station Sees Hurricane - September 5, 2008—Astronauts on the International Space Station have a unique view of Hurricane Ike as it crosses the Atlantic Ocean.
- Space Tourism Ship Debuts - July 29, 2008—The first WhiteKnightTwo plane—designed to carry a smaller craft nearly to the edge of space—was unveiled by billionaire Richard Branson.
- Space Tourist Reaches ISS - October 14, 2008—An American multi-millionaire, who paid for his adventure through Russia's space program, arrives on the International Space Station.
- Space Tourist Ship Unveiled - March 27, 2008—A U.S. company unveiled its two-seat ship for space tourists, Lynx, on Wednesday. It plans to begin test flights in 2010.
- Spacewalkers Assemble Robot - March 14, 2008—Spacewalking astronauts begin assembling Dextre, the space station's new robot.
- Spacewalkers Outfit New Lab - February 15, 2008—Astronauts installed a sun-monitoring device during the final space walk of the shuttle Atlantis's mission to deliver the Columbus lab to the Space Station.
- Spacewalkers Outfit Robot - March 18, 2008—Spacewalking astronauts attached tools to the International Space Station's new robot—called Dexter—during the current mission's third space walk.
- Speedboat Runs on Biofuel - May 20, 2008—A boat called Earthrace is on a mission to break the speed record for circumnavigating the globe—powered entirely by biodiesel.
- Spinning Skyscraper Planned - June 25, 2008—A shape-shifting skyscraper may someday energize the Dubai skyline with its revolving floors and environmentally friendly, electricity-generating wind turbines.
- Sub Conquers Deepest Lake - July 29, 2008—Russian scientists have reached the bottom Russia's Lake Baikal, the world's oldest and deepest. They'll study plants and animals as much as a mile (1.6 kilometers) underwater.
- Taking A Bite Out of Banana Mess - June 27, 2008—Copious chemicals and plastic make conventional banana growing far from "green." But a remote university is producing eco-friendly bananas that may be in your local grocery.
- Tornado Town Goes Green - May 2, 2008—Greensburg, Kansas was nearly destroyed by a tornado in May 2007. Today the town is rebuilding, and living up to its "green" name.
- Tourist Spaceship Model Unveiled - January 24, 2008—Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson and aerospace designer Burt Rutan debuted a model of a ship planned to carry commercial passengers on a suborbital joyride within a few years.
- Ultra-Low-Cost Car Unveiled - January 10, 2008—Critics worry the new, super-low-cost car from India's Tata Motors—costing about $2,500—will cause more traffic and pollution by making car ownership affordable to millions more.
- Undersea "Wind Farms" Tested - May 1, 2008—An Australia company is testing what could be the undersea equivalent of a wind farm. Their devices would capture wave energy and convert it to electricity.
- Unknown Deforestation Exposed - October 30, 2008—In the Brazilian Amazon rain forest, a nongovernmental organization is using satellites to uncover deforestation the Brazilian government doesn't find.
- Unmanned Ship to Space Station - March 10, 2008—A European spaceship is en route to become the first unmanned craft to dock with the International Space Station.
- Vatican Goes Solar - September 30, 2008—Workers recently began installing donated solar panels on the papal auditorium's roof, part of Vatican City's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
- Video Games Influence War Robots - August 12, 2008—Real-life war has long influenced video games, but now the shoe is on the other foot: gaming consoles are influencing the way military robots are controlled.
- Virtual Pompeii Created - April 18, 2008—European scientists have combined virtual reality with treadmills to allow users to "walk through" the ancient city as it looked before the devastating volcanic eruption.
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