OAS Receives First Scientific Documentation of Aurora Borealis from NASA
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The Oman Astronomical Society (OAS) has received the first scientific documentation from NASA confirming the observation of the aurora borealis in the skies of the Sultanate of Oman. This unprecedented event was recorded by a team of astro-photographers from OAS.
The OAS team reported observing mysterious, colorful lights on the night of 12 May 2024, during a strong solar storm that hit Earth. These observations were made at Jabal Al Sarat in the Western Hajar Starlight Reserve. NASA specialists have confirmed that these lights were indeed the aurora borealis, marking the first documented occurrence of this phenomenon in Oman.
The aurora borealis, typically seen near Earth’s poles, is caused by the interaction of charged solar particles with atmospheric molecules, resulting in a sky glow. This phenomenon intensifies with increased solar activity, and during solar storms, millions of tons of solar material are ejected into space, with some reaching Earth to create these spectacular light displays.
The observation and documentation of the aurora borealis and other celestial phenomena from various parts of the planet are crucial. They offer valuable insights into the dynamics governing Earth and its interactions with space and the sun.
This milestone highlights the importance of global astronomical research and the contributions of local observatories like OAS in enhancing our understanding of cosmic events.
