NASA spacecraft reveal cause of auroas

[n0mad23]

From MSNBC -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25836608/?GT1=43001

 

[chris772]

Hasn't this been known for quite a while? The effects of the auroras are not just at the poles either. They have happened as far south as London (so I have heard).

 

[TSPenguin]

"Our data show clearly and for the first time that magnetic reconnection is the trigger,"

I guess this means everything before has just been a theory we were >90% sure about.
And yes, aurora borealis has been reported as far south as london.

 

[simonpro]

I guess this means everything before has just been a theory we were >90% sure about.
And yes, aurora borealis has been reported as far south as london.

>99.9999% sure about
Aurorae have been reported far south of London, btw. Monaco/Nice had some in the late 90's, and they've been reported in Africa too (although I've never been too sure how reliable those claims are).