NASA Launches Missions to Investigate Auroral Dynamics

NASA has successfully launched two sounding rocket missions from the Poker Flat Research Range near Fairbanks, Alaska, aimed at investigating the electrical forces behind the northern lights. The missions, named the Black and Diffuse Auroral Science Surveyor and the Geophysical Non-Equilibrium Ionospheric System Science mission (GNEISS), took place on February 9 and 10, 2026. The Black and Diffuse Auroral Science Surveyor reached an altitude of approximately 224 miles (360 kilometers), while the GNEISS rockets achieved peak altitudes of around 198 miles (319 kilometers).

Science DailyWith two rockets launched in sequence and sensors deployed on the ground, NASA seeks to understand the dark aurora and reconstruct in 3D the electromagnetic environment over Alaska.

The primary goal of the GNEISS mission is to map the electrical currents that flow through the aurora, which is essential for understanding how these currents affect Earth's upper atmosphere. Principal investigator Kristina Lynch emphasized the importance of visualizing how electrical currents spread downward through the atmosphere, akin to a CT scan of the plasma beneath the aurora. The mission utilized two rockets that launched nearly simultaneously, each releasing subpayloads to gather data at various points within the auroral region. This approach allows for a three-dimensional reconstruction of the electromagnetic environment associated with the auroras.

Science DailyWith two rockets launched in sequence and sensors deployed on the ground, NASA seeks to understand the dark aurora and reconstruct in 3D the electromagnetic environment over Alaska.

Auroras are formed when charged particles from space collide with atmospheric gases, creating luminous displays. The GNEISS mission aims to elucidate the complex electrical pathways that these currents take, particularly focusing on the phenomenon known as "dark auroras." Unlike traditional auroras, dark auroras are characterized by regions of reduced brightness, suggesting organized structures associated with upward flows of electrons. This research is crucial for understanding how energy from space is distributed throughout the atmosphere, which can influence satellite operations and other technologies.

With two rockets launched in sequence and sensors deployed on the ground, NASA seeks to understand the dark aurora and reconstruct in 3D the electromagnetic environment over Alaska.Science Daily

In addition to the rockets, the mission employs a network of ground-based sensors, including high-sensitivity optical cameras, terrestrial magnetometers, and ionospheric monitoring stations. This network enhances the precision of the analysis by correlating visual observations with measurements taken in the ionosphere. The integration of data from both the rockets and ground sensors enables scientists to create a comprehensive model of the auroral environment.

With two rockets launched in sequence and sensors deployed on the ground, NASA seeks to understand the dark aurora and reconstruct in 3D the electromagnetic environment over Alaska.

Understanding the dynamics of auroras, particularly dark auroras, has significant implications for space weather forecasting. These phenomena can affect satellite communications, navigation systems, and power grids, especially during geomagnetic storms. By refining models of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, researchers hope to improve predictions of space weather events and enhance our understanding of plasma physics in planetary environments.

With two rockets launched in sequence and sensors deployed on the ground, NASA seeks to understand the dark aurora and reconstruct in 3D the electromagnetic environment over Alaska.Science Daily

• “If we can put the in situ measurements together with the ground-based imagery, then we can learn to read the aurora,” — Kristina Lynch, Principal Investigator, GNEISS

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• “It's essentially like doing a CT scan of the plasma beneath the aurora,” — Kristina Lynch, Principal Investigator, GNEISS

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The successful launches of the Black and Diffuse Auroral Science Surveyor and GNEISS missions mark a significant advancement in auroral research. By combining in situ measurements with ground-based observations, NASA aims to deepen our understanding of how solar energy interacts with Earth's atmosphere, ultimately contributing to improved space weather forecasting and a broader comprehension of auroral dynamics.

Science DailyWith two rockets launched in sequence and sensors deployed on the ground, NASA seeks to understand the dark aurora and reconstruct in 3D the electromagnetic environment over Alaska.