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New Radar System to Enhance Northern Lights Research

2/24/2026

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Story summary
  • The world's first permanent northern lights observatory was established in 1899 on Mount Halde, Norway, by Kristian Birkeland, a physicist.
  • In 1926, research moved to Tromso, where scientists studied solar events and Earth's magnetic field.
  • A new radar system will begin operations this summer in Skibotn, featuring 10,000 antennas to study auroras.
  • Historically, the northern lights inspired myths, including sailors who feared being taken by the spectral lights.