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toc = ABOUT THE TEAM =

Hello! We are all 8th graders at Bonny Eagle Middle School located in Buxton, Maine. We are the largest middle school in the state of Maine with a total of 911 students enrolled in grades 6th-8th. Each grade is separated into "Scottish Clans" with ours being Dundee. Although, our school is located in Buxton our students come from the surrounding towns: Standish, Hollis, Limington, Buxton, Steep Falls, Bar Mills, and Frye Island. This makes up the largest school district in the state of Maine.



=** STEPS IN THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE **=

=** Step 1 - Preliminary Question **= Here are some of the questions that we formed initially.


 * How does the location and amount of snow/ice affect the color of an aurora?**

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://geology.com/nasa/aurora/aurora-borealis-curtains-alaska.jpg&imgrefurl=http://geology.com/nasa/aurora-borealis.shtml&usg=__5nZIhTV4kYkHvzGeXZw1salL_Yg=&h=499&w=750&sz=31&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=CJ8nFAwq64HJIM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=171&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daurora%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D583%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C114&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=681&ei=ljIeTeujH4L58Abd1_nVDQ&oei=ljIeTeujH4L58Abd1_nVDQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0&tx=107&ty=105&biw=1280&bih=583__//

//**Do all channels follow a curvy pattern? Or can some be straight?**// //__http://www.geo.uu.nl/fg/palaeogeography/pictures/results_avulsions/02_Anastomoserend.jpg__//

//**Can astronaut photographs show a volcano changing shape over time? More specifically a caldera that was once open, but now has closed over?**// //__http://www.gvb-csic.es/CCDB/iamgenes/KatmaiCaldera.jpg__//

= Step 2 - Initial Observations =

**SELECTED CLASS QUESTION:**

 * How does the location and the amount of snow/ice affect the color and brightness of an aurora?**

Initial Observations Data Table

 * **IMAGE ID** || **LATITUDE** || **LONGITUDE** || **DATE** || **TIME** || **CAMERA FOCAL LENGTH** || **COLOR** || **WHERE** || **SOURCE** ||
 * **ISS003-E-E-6152** || 50.6 N || 43.7 W || OCT.4,2001 || 12:21 A.M. || N/A || GREEN || AURORA BOREALIS || __[]__ ||
 * **ISS006-E-21591** || 51.7N || 123.6 W || FEB. 2, 2003 || 4:20 AM || N/A || RED + & GREEN- || AURORA BOREALIS || __[]__ ||
 * **ISSO23-E-58455** || 51.2S || 93.3E || MAY 29 2010 || 4:11 PM || N/A || GREEN || AURORA AUSTRALIS || __[]__ ||
 * **ISS006-E-47517** || 44.6S || 152.4 E || APRIL 20 2003 || 5:09 PM || N/A || red + & GREEN || AURORA AUSTRALIS || __[]__ ||
 * **STSO45-31-012** || N/A || N/A || Apr 2, 1992 || N/A || N/A || GREEN AND BLUE || AURORA AUSTRALIS || __[]__ ||
 * **STS045-32-014** || N/A || N/A || Apr 2, 1992 || N/A || N/A || BLUEGREEN || AURORA AUSTRALIS || __[]__ ||

Hypothesis:
**From initial observations there is a slight color difference based on the location of the aurora. Presence of snow and ice can not be determined from this data set.**

=** Step 3 - Background Research **=

// **Name and define the feature(s) you are studying as the focus of your research.** //

// Auroras- shining bans or streamers of light appearing in the night sky in the atmosphere (Source: Spheres of Earth Packet). //

// **Name and define other terms associated with your research that are important to understand** //

// Aurora borealis- the aurora seen in the northern hemisphere (Apple Dictionary) //

// Aurora australis- the aurora seen in the southern hemisphere (Apple Dictionary) // // Solar wind- T he solar wind is a stream of energized, charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, flowing outward from the Sun, through the solar system at speeds as high as 900 km/s and at a temperature of 1 million degrees (Celsius). It is made of plasma. // // http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/space-environment/3-what-is-solar-wind.html //

// Electromagnetic particles- (electromagnetism) the force that causes interactions between electrically charged particles (Source: Wikipedia) //

// Magnetic poles- either of the 2 points of a magnet where its magnetic force seems to be greater (Source: Webster’s Dictionary) //

// Ions- Atom or groups of atoms whose outer electron shell had gained or lost one or more electrons (Source: Webster’s Dictionary) //

// Thermosphere- the part of the earth’s atmosphere that begins about 50 miles above the earth’s surface, extends to outer-space that is characterized by steadily increasing temperature with height (Source: Webster’s Dictionary) //

// Atmosphere- the mass of gases surrounding the earth or any heavenly body (Source: Webster’s Dictionary) //

// Northern/Southern Hemispheres- the half of the earth north of the equator/ the half of the earth south of the equator (Source: Webster’s Dictionary) //

// Electronegativity- Having a tendency to attract electrons (Source: Webster’s Dictionary) //

// **Explain basic information about this feature(s) including which earth system it is related to (litho/geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, or biosphere) and how it is related to that system.** //

// **a. Although there is always an interaction between spheres, which sphere does the feature(s) you are studying most closely relate to?** //

// Atmosphere //

// **b. What is the significance/importance/role of this feature within this earth system?** //

// They don’t have a big role, but they are just a reminder that the earths magnetic fields and space environments are not working like they should be //

// **c. If what you are researching plays a major role in another Earth system as part of your study please explain.** // // N/A //

// **3a. Describe the process of how this feature is formed?** // // “The aurora (Northern Lights and Southern Lights) are caused by collisions between energetic particles in Earth's magnetosphere and atoms or molecules in the upper atmosphere. Particles, mostly electrons and protons are accelerated to high speeds and energies as they sprial along Earth's magnetic field lines. The particles bounce back and forth between Earth's magnetic poles where magnetic field lines dip into the planet's upper atmosphere. Some of the energetic particles collide with atoms and molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere near the poles. // // These collisions add energy to the atoms, which in turn shed the excess energy by emitting light. The brilliant displays of auroral lights have characteristic colors which depend on the type of atoms or molecules which are giving off the light. Oxygen atoms emit green light that is seen in many auroral displays. Oxygen atoms above 150 km (93 miles) in altitude can also give off red light. Energized nitrogen molecules emit red, blue, and violet light.” // // __[]__ //

// **3b. Draw a sketch or diagram with labels to illustrate how this feature forms:** //

// http://www.physorg.com/news190400376.html //

// **Describe the main characteristics or criteria of this feature(s) that allow you to identify this feature(s) in astronaut images** //

// **a. What specific characteristics are used to identify this feature(s) in an image?** //

// The color // // Brightness // // Lack of shape // // Size //

// **b. Are there any features that look similar to the feature(s) you are studying but are actually something else? How do you make sure you are not misidentifying features?** //

// Large cities at night- look for a variation of colors //

// **List the image Id numbers (and/ or show images) for at least 3 astronaut photographs that include the feature(s) you are investigating** //

// ISS026-E-8636 // // ISS006-E-50033 //

// ISS006-E-41562 //

// **What specific geographic region(s) on Earth will you focus on to observe this feature(s), and why?** //

// Northern and southern hemisphere because they may have different colors in the auroras // // Magnetic poles located in the north and south poles where auroras are generated //

=** Step 4 - Experiment Design **=

//** Refined/ Finial question **//

= What factors contribute to the color and brilliance/brightness of an aurora? =

**Name and describe the specific data set you will use as the primary source of image data for your research**

Gateway to astronaut photography then narrow the search down to Aurora(s)

**What other data sets of earth will you use, if any, to support your research of Earth?**

Climate/weather table to find out the seasonal change in the Northern vs. the Southern Hemisphere.

**What specific geographic regions on earth will you focus on to gather your data**

North and South poles (magnetic poles)

**How many images at minimum, will you observe overall in order to draw conclusions about your research?**

35

**List each specific piece of data you will log from each image you observe**

Image ID, Date photo was taken, Location (Northern or Southern Hemisphere) Latitude, Longitude, Time of day, Season, Color, Relative brightness, Camera Focal length, Other, Link to Photo

If you are going to make measurements, list the procedure you will use to ensure all measurements are made in the same consistent manner. This may be a list of steps or instructions you will follow. N/A


 * Title of Source || Web-address || Information that can be found ||
 * Pictures:Huge Solar Storm Triggers Unusual Auroras || __[|http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/08/photogalleries/100810-northern-lights-solar-cme-aurora-borealis-pictures/#]__ __/northern-lights-solar-flare-shore_24419_600x450.jpg__ || On this site I found an explanation of auroras and some photos. ||
 * Auroras: Mysterious Lights In The Sky || __[]__ || This is a slide show that tells how auroras are formed and it gives a bunch of facts. ||
 * Facts About The Aurora || __[]__ || Using this site I found facts like the most common aurora color . ||
 * What Are The Northern Lights? || __[]__ || This site has diagrams of the formation of an aurora. ||
 * The Aurora Explained || __[]__ || There are facts about the magnetosphere and the sun which help explain the auroras. ||
 * Auoras, Auroras, Auroras- || __[]__ || This website contains information of North/South Auroras some locations and colors. ||
 * Aurora FAQ- || __[]__ || Website contains questions with answers for example like “What is an Aurora?”, below it contains the answer and more questions. ||
 * * The Sun: Man’s Friend & Foe- Aurora Facts- || __[]__ || This website has different facts about the auroras, and also has color,location,and more. ||
 * Auroras: What makes them happen || __[]__ || Tells about how they are formed, what they are made of, and how you can see them ||
 * NASA-Auroras--Paintings in the Sky || __[]__ || The history of Auroras ||
 * Aurora’s Northern Nights || __[]__ || Links to other sites to get pictures of Auroras ||

=** Step 5 - Collect and Compile Data **=


 * **Image ID** || **Date** || **Location (Southern or Northern Hemisphere)** || **Latitude** || **Longitude** || **Time of day** || **Season** || **Qualitative: Color** || **Qualitative: Relative brightness of Aurora** || **Camara Focal Length** || **Other Observations** || **Sources** ||
 * ISS026 E 8655 || Dec. 8, 2010 || Northern || 51.4N || -54.3W || 7:46:44 A.M. || Winter || Green || air glow || 180mm || Labrador Sea || __[]__ ||
 * ISSO16-E-27082 || Feb 2, 2008 || Northern || 52 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-1 ||  || Winter || Green || MEDIUM || 28 mm || THE CORNER IS BRIGHT || __[]__ ||
 * ISS06-E-21463 || Jan 25, 2003 || Northern || 50.8 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-86.2 || 5:43 AM || Winter || Green || N/A || 58 mm || Borealis || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-21421 || Jan 23, 2003 || Northern || 47.3 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-63.9 || 6:05 AM || Winter || Green || N/A || 58 mm || Borealis || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-18348 || Jan 19, 2003 || Northern || 48.6 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">.-54.1 || 6:43 AM || Winter || Green || N/A || 50 mm || Borealis || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-18361 || Jan 18, 2003 || Northern || 49.5 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-81.5 || 8:15 AM || Winter || Green || N/A || 58 mm || Borealis || __[]__ ||
 * ISS022-E-79330 || Mar 2, 2010 || Northern || 46.3 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-145.4 || 11:13 AM || Winter || Green || N/A || 85 mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISSO24 E 11646 || July 22,2010 || Southern || -42.1S || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">76.4E || 11:01 PM || Winter || Green || air glow || 0mm || from the side || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-47096 || Apr 19, 2003 || Southern || -49.8 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-132.6 || 8:39 AM || Winter || Green/ Red || dull || 28mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-47152 || Apr 19, 2003 || Southern || -51.5 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-151.1 || 11:48 AM || Winter || Green/ Red || very dull || 28mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-47366 || Apr 19, 2003 || Southern || -51.4 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">92.9 || 7:30 PM || Winter || Green/ Red || bright green, dull red || 28mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-47389 || Apr 19, 2003 || Southern || -47.6 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">112.9 || 7:34 PM || Winter || Green || bright ||  ||   || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-46180 || Apr 18, 2003 || Southern || -51.8 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-120.2 || 9:37 AM || Winter || yellowish green and red || dull || 58 mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-46997 || Apr 18, 2003 || Southern || -51.1 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">88.1 || 8:26 PM || Winter || green and orange || dull || 28mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-46150 || Apr 17, 2003 || Southern || -50.3 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-145.9 || 8:29 PM || Winter || green and purple || bright green and dull purple || 58mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-46137 || Apr 16, 2003 || Southern || -42.7 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">135.8 || 2:23 PM || Winter || green/yellow/purple/blue || dull || 58mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS020-E-10138 || Jun 14, 2009 || Southern || -44.3 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">51.1 || 8:56 PM || Winter || green/red/yellow || N/A || 62 mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS020-E-9530 || Jun 13, 2009 || Southern || -39.4 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">95.8 || 7:04 PM || Winter || Green/ Red || N/A || 200 mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS020-E-5203 || May 30, 2009 || Southern || -45.1 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">134.2 || 4:24 PM || Winter || green and yellow || N/A || 70 mm ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS017-E-18198 || Sep 18, 2008 || Northern || 49.6 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-2.0 || <span style="color: #1a4206; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">11:32 PM || <span style="color: #1a4206; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Summer || Green || foggy || 180mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS017-E-16430 || Sep 14, 2008 || Northern || 51.4 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">53.1 || 8:35 PM || Summer || Green || long line of green is very bright, short line of green is dim || 70mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS017-E-16445 || Sep 14, 2008 || Northern || 49.3 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">85.5 || 8:41 PM || Summer || blue and a little green || green is a little faint and the blue is very bright || 28mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS017-E-16985 || Sept 14, 2008 || Northern || 51.6 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">46.6 || 10:10 PM || Summer || green with a layer of blue || blue is bright, green is dim || 60mm || Layered || __[]__ ||
 * ISS017-E-16993 || Sept 14, 2008 || Northern || 49.6 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">61.1 || 10:12 PM || Summer || blue with a hint of green || blue is very bright, green is dim || 28mm || blue is closer || __[]__ ||
 * ISS017-E-17035 || Sept 14, 2008 || Northern || 47.6 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-12.7 || 11:35 PM || Summer || Green || foggy || 180mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-41636 || Mar 30, 2003 || Northern ||  ||   || <span style="color: #4c4f4e; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">7:59 AM || <span style="color: #4c4f4e; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Spring || Green/ Red || MEDIUM || 58 mm ||   || __[]__ ||
 * ISSOO6-E-41606 || Mar 30, 2003 || Northern ||  ||   || <span style="color: #4c4f4e; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">7:51 AM || <span style="color: #4c4f4e; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">Spring || BLUE GREEN RED || PRETTY BRIGHT || N/A || THE BLUE IS REALLY BRIGHT IT LOOKS LIKE A COMET || __[]__ ||
 * ISS022-E-85423 || Mar 8, 2010 || Northern || 49.1 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">40.2 ||  || Spring || Green || N/A || 85 mm || Russian Federation, Borealis, Stars, Cities || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-41562 || 20030325 || Northern || 50.0 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-125.4 || 61706 || Spring || Green, Red, Blue || Green is bright || N/A || Red and Blue are dim || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-41563 || 20030325 || Northern || 51.1 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-117.6 || 61827 || Spring || Green || Green is shiny || N/A || The only color you see is green || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-41564 || 20030325 || Northern || 51.7 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-110.0 || 61944 || Spring || Green || Green is dim. || N/A || Image is blurry || __[]__ ||
 * ISS022-E-79212 || March 2 2010 || Northern || 51.8 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">160.2 || <span style="color: #1a4206; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">12:39 PM || Spring || Green || foggy || 180mm || Straight || __[]__ ||
 * ISS022-E-79316 || March 2 2010 || Northern || 49.2 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-115.2 || <span style="color: #1a4206; display: block; font: 12px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">11:11 AM || Spring || Green || bright || 85mm || The middle is higher || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-41560 || Mar 25, 2003 || Northern || 49.2 North || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">129.1 West || 6:16 a.m. || Spring || Green/Red || Green is Bright/ Red is dim || N/A ||  || __[]__ ||
 * ISS024 E 14703 || Sep 14, 2010 || Southern || -50.9S || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">81.9E || 10:39:54 P.M. || Spring || Green || blurred || 50mm || has the sun || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-41559 || N/A || Northern || 48.5 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">131.8 || N/A || N/A ||  ||   || N/A ||   || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-50876 || N/A || Southern || -42.8 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">95.1 || 171402 || n/a || green/pink ||  || central direction ||   || __[]__ ||
 * ISS026-E-8634 || Dec 8, 2010 || Northern || 49.2 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-68.1 || 74420 || Late Fall || Green/Orange || Bright || 180mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS026-E-8567 || Dec 8, 2010 || Northern || 47.5 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-51 || 61140 || Late Fall || Green || Medium Bright || 400mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS026-E-8648 || Dec 8, 2010 || Northern || 51.2 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-56.5 || 74622 || Late Fall || Green || Semi Bright || 180mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS026-E-8636 || Dec 8, 2010 || Northern || 49.6 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-66.4 || 74438 || Late Fall || Green/Orange || Bright || 180mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-49080 || Apr 22, 2003 || Southern || N/A || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">N/A || N/A || Fall || Green || Low || 28mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS019-E-21645 || May 27, 2009 || Southern || -51.8 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">89.5 || 22580 || Fall || Green/Orange || Medium Bright || 120mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS019-E-21644 || May 27, 2009 || Southern || -51.8 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">88.5 || 225750 || Fall || Green/Orange || Low || 120mm || n/a || __[]__ ||
 * ISS023 E 58455 || May 29, 2010 || Southern || -51.2S || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">93.3E || 4:11:36 P.M. || Fall || Green || earth limb || 0mm || flowing || __[]__ ||
 * ISS023 E 17 252 || Apr 4, 2010 || Southern || -43.3S || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">136.2E || 3:25:30 P.M. || Fall || Green || soft || 17mm || International Space Station || __[]__ ||
 * ISS023 E 17341 || Apr 2, 2010 || Southern || -51.8S || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">140.8E || 1:01:06 P.M. || Fall || Green || soft || 28mm || International Space Station || __[]__ ||
 * ISS023-E-17369 || Apr 2, 2010 || Southern || -44.4 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">1457.5 || N/A || Fall || Green ||  || 28 mm || Pacific Ocean, Australis, stars || __[]__ ||
 * ISS023-E-16662 || Mar 28, 2010 || Southern || -41.1 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">54.9 || N/A || Fall || Green ||  || 0 mm || Indian ocean, Australis || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-46267 || Apr 18, 2003 || Southern || -51.7 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">118.5 || N/A || Fall || Green ||  || 58 mm || Australis, ISS || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-50164 || Apr 29, 2003 || Southern || -51.7 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-130.7 || 54202 || Fall || green/pink ||  || 28mm ||   || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-50190 || Apr 29, 2003 || Southern || -51.7 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">-130.7 || 54202 || Fall || green/pink (kind of brown) ||  || 28mm ||   || __[]__ ||
 * ISS006-E-50033 || Apr 28, 2003 || Southern || -49.7 || <span style="display: block; font: 12px 'Helvetica Neue'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px; text-align: right;">106 || 155527 || Fall || green/pink/red ||  || 28mm ||   || __[]__ ||

=** Step 6 - Display Data **=





=** Step 7 - Analyze and Interpret Data **=

Research Question: What factors contribute to the brilliance/brightness and color of an aurora?

Hypothesis: Location and season contribute to the color and/or brilliance/brightness of an aurora. With snow present the aurora would be brighter and location determines color.





=** Step 8 - Draw Conclusions **=

=** Step 9 - Share Research **=

= GLOSSARY =

**Aurora borealis** - the aurora seen in the northern hemisphere

**Aurora australis**- the aurora seen in the southern hemisphere **Solar wind**- T he solar wind is a stream of energized, charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, flowing outward from the Sun, through the solar system at speeds as high as 900 km/s and at a temperature of 1 million degrees (Celsius). It is made of plasma.

**Electromagnetic particles- (electromagnetism**) the force that causes interactions between electrically charged particles (Source: Wikipedia)

**magnetic poles**- either of the 2 points of a magnet where its magnetic force seems to be greater

**Ions**- Atom or groups of atoms whose outer electron shell had gained or lost one or more electrons

**Thermosphere**- the part of the earth’s atmosphere that begins about 50 miles above the earth’s surface, extends to outer-space that is characterized by steadily increasing temperature with height

**Atmosphere**- the mass of gases surrounding the earth or any heavenly body

**Northern/Southern Hemispheres**- the half of the earth north of the equator/ the half of the earth south of the equator

**Electronegativity**- Having a tendency to attract electrons

= REFERENCES =


 * //Alaska Science Explained - Rocket Scientist, Neal Brown, Explains the Aurora, Rockets and More!// Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__//http://www.alaskascience.com/aurorafacts.htm//__]>. ||
 * "Aurora Borealis - Aurora Australis - Northern Lights - Southern Lights." //Geology.com - Earth Science News, Maps, Dictionary, Articles, Jobs//. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__http://geology.com/nasa/aurora-borealis.shtml__]>. ||
 * "Aurora Australis - Weather in Antarctica - Antarctic Connection." //Antarctic Connection -//. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/weather/aurora.shtml__]>. ||
 * "Aurora's Northern Nights." //Alaska Climate Research Center//. 1 June 2005. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/curtis/curtis.html__]>. ||
 * "Aurora Experience - Scientific Explanation." Aurora Experience - Northern Lights. Web. 10 Jan. 2011. <http://www.auroraexperience.com/Default.asp?Page=242> ||
 * "Auroras: Mysterious Lights in the Sky." //IIS7//. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__http://ds9.ssl.berkeley.edu/auroras/story.html__]> ||
 * "Auroras: What Makes Them Happen?" //Exploratorium: the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception//. 2001. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/auroras/happen.html__]>. ||
 * "The Aurora Page." __Geological Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Tech__. 17 Apr. 2007. Encyclopedia of Earth. 10 Jan. 2011 <http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/>. ||
 * Congress, Library Of. "What are the northern lights?(Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts from the Library of Congress)." __Library of Congress Home__. 1 Oct. 2010. Library Of Congress. 10 Jan. 2011 <http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/northernlights.html>. ||
 * Nasa. "Galileo Looks for Auroras on Ganymede." //NASA Science//. Web. 10 Jan. 2011. ||
 * Michigan Tech. "The Aurora Page." __Geological Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Tech__. Michigan Tech. 10 Jan. 2011 <[|__http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/__]>. ||
 * Jenner, Lynn. "NASA - Auroras--Paintings in the Sky." //NASA - Home//. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/themis/auroras/index.html__]>. ||
 * # "Pictures: Huge Solar Storm Triggers Unusual Auroras." //Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News//. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. < [|__http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/08/photogalleries/100810-northern-lights-solar-cme-aurora-borealis-pictures/#/northern-lights-solar-flare-shore_24419_600x450.jpg__] >. ||
 * # //Alaska Science Explained - Rocket Scientist, Neal Brown, Explains the Aurora, Rockets and More!// Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__//http://alaskascience.com/aurorafacts2.htm//__]>. ||
 * # "What Are the Northern Lights?(Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts from the Library of Congress)." //Library of Congress Home//. Web. 05 Jan. 2011. <[|__http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/northernlights.html__]>. ||

__<span style="font-family: Helvetica,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/space-environment/3-what-is-solar-wind.html __ <span style="color: #3100b0; font-family: Helvetica,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal;">__ [] __ <span style="color: #3100b0; font-family: Helvetica,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal;">__ http://www.physorg.com/news190400376.html __

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