Alaska
Artificial aurora shines over Alaska
Alaskans witnessed an artificial aurora illuminate the night sky on November 4, 2023. US-based researchers from various educational institutions launched the experiment using the HAARP facility. The University of Alaska Fairbanks says it will help scientists learn about auroras and apply their research to other interstellar issues.
One of the more interesting applications of this research is tracking space junk. It has been a growing issue that could prevent the world from conducting future space explorations. Moreover, it will help experts learn more about the ionosphere’s effects on civilian, military, surveillance communications, and radar and navigation systems.
This article will discuss how scientists created an artificial aurora over the United States frigid region. Later, I will focus on space junk, one of its most important applications.
How did scientists create an artificial aurora?
The artificial aurora research was a collaboration among Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Florida, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Georgia Institute of Technology. They used the world’s most powerful high-frequency transmitter, HAARP.
The acronym stands for High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program. The HAARP website states its research purpose is to “conduct a fundamental study of the physical processes at work in the very highest portions of our atmosphere.”
HAARP transmitters functioned like heaters as they excited gasses in the upper atmosphere. Afterward, PopSci says these particles “de-excite,” producing an airglow roughly 120 to 150 miles above the ground, visible to the residents of Gulkana, Alaska.
Auroras, also known as northern lights or airglow, are majestic ribbons of light shimmering across Earth’s northern and southern polar regions. They appear when magnetic solar particles collide with the Earth’s Ionosphere.
These solar waves excite Ionosphere particles. Later, they slow down, producing iridescent curtains across the Earth’s coldest areas. The HAARP mimics this natural phenomenon to create artificial auroras.
UAF writer Rod Boyce explained the project’s purpose further. “Scientists will investigate ionosphere mechanisms that cause optical emissions,” he stated.
“They’ll also try to understand whether certain plasma waves – gasses so hot that electrons get knocked off atoms – amplify other very low-frequency waves. And they’ll investigate how satellites can use plasma waves in the ionosphere for collision detection and avoidance.”
As mentioned, the project studies our planet’s ionosphere further and examines its impact on radar and navigation systems. Moreover, Popsci said HAARP will enable experts to peek into a passing asteroid, observe solar storms, and conduct other relevant tests.
Anchorage Daily News stated the research could help develop a new way to track “space junk.” The latter refers to manmade debris left by old launch vehicles and satellites.
What is the problem with space junk?
This year showed everyone that more countries are launching space exploration missions. For example, 2023 is the moment when India became the fourth nation to land on the Moon.
However, that also meant humanity left more garbage in near-Earth orbit. Think of your typical spaceship launch. Often, it involves huge rockets that launch a spacecraft with a huge explosion.
The space vessel sheds the rockets once it reaches a specific height, gaining enough momentum to start its voyage. It’s a spectacular sight, but where does that discarded equipment go?
Such things often stay in our atmosphere. Worse, we’ve accumulated so many that it may impede future space missions. They may obstruct upcoming launches worldwide and scientific progress.
Space junk could also collide with active satellites, potentially disrupting their services. For example, a global positioning system satellite may crash into debris, preventing navigation for many.
Aside from producing artificial auroras, HAARP chief scientist Paul Bernhardt says the transmitters could help track space debris. “Traditionally, space debris is observed with satellite and ground sensors that use optics and ranging radars,” he said.
These methods, however, cannot detect many smaller debris. University scientists have suggested a novel technique for locating space debris by measuring the electric fields that surround them while in motion,” Bernhardt added.
Conclusion
Scientists from multiple universities used high-frequency waves to produce artificial auroras. As a result, Alaskans saw their skies shimmer red and green via manmade methods.
Scientists say this experiment can help us understand the ionosphere, which is the part of the atmosphere that blocks solar magnetic waves. Also, the study could check how the ionosphere affects wireless communications.
It might enable humanity to clear space debris and continue exploring the stars. Learn more about the latest digital tips and trends at Inquirer Tech.
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Alaska
Alaska Airlines faces heat after UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gets removed from flight: 'Shame on you'
Alaska Airlines is getting called out on social media after a clip surfaced showing a famous UFC fighter get into a dispute on-board until he was escorted off his flight. The video shows Russian hall of fame athlete Khabib Nurmgomedov debating airline staff in the U.S. while he was sitting in the exit row on the plane.
The video of the incident, which reportedly took place at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday, shows an employee telling the 36-year-old mixed martial artist he either has to switch seats or get off the plane. “They’re not comfortable with you sitting in the exit row,” the worker added.
“It’s not fair,” said Nurmgomedov, who was reportedly flying to Los Angeles, to which the worker replied, “It is fair. Yes, it is.”
Nurmgomedov explained that when he was checking in for the flight, he was asked he if knew English, to which he said he did. The airline worker responded, “I understand that, but it’s also off of their judgement. I’m not going to do this back-and-forth. I will call a supervisor.”
The employee reiterated the athlete could either take a different seat on the plane, or staff could “go ahead and escort” him off the flight. She asked “which one are we doing?” and then replied to Nurmgomedov saying they were going to have to rebook him on a different flight.
Across social media, people have been calling out Alaska Airlines asking why they had him removed from the plane. Many called for others to boycott the airline, and some claimed the staff were profiling Nurmgomedov, who is Muslim.
“Why did you remove Khabib from your plane? His fans need to know! I hope he sues you,” an Instagram user wrote on the airline’s most recent post.
“Are you aware of who Khabib is? His legacy surpasses that of the entire airline,” another chimed in.
“Shame on you, Alaska Airline. We all boycotting them,” a TikTok user added.
“What is the reason!? Because they don’t feel comfortable he’s sitting by a window?” another questioned.
Neither Nurmgomedov or Alaska Airlines have yet commented on the situation.
Alaska
Experts recommend preparing in case of Southcentral power outages as storm approaches
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – With a storm approaching and high winds in the forecast for a portion of Southcentral Alaska, experts recommend preparing for potential power outages and taking safety precautions.
Experts with the State of Alaska, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management recommended taking the initiative early in case of power outages due to strong weather.
Julie Hasquet with Chugach Electric in Anchorage said Saturday the utility company has 24/7 operators in case of outages.
“We watch the weather forecast, and absolutely, if there are power outages, we will send crews out into the field to respond,” Hasquet said.
She echoed others, saying it’s best to prepare prior to a storm and not need supplies rather than the other way around.
“With the winds that are forecast for tonight and perhaps into Sunday, people should just be ready that it could be some challenging times, and to be aware and cautious and kind of have your radar up,” Hasquet said.
For the latest weather updates and alerts, download the Alaska’s Weather Source app.
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Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.
Alaska
The 2025 Alaska Music Summit comes to Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – More than 100 music professionals and music makers from Anchorage and across the state signed up to visit ‘The Nave’ in Spenard on Saturday for the annual Alaska Music Summit.
Organized by MusicAlaska and the Alaska Independent Musicians Initiative, the event began at 10 a.m. and invited anyone with interest or involvement in the music industry.
“The musicians did the work, right,” Marian Call, MusicAlaska program director said. “The DJ’s who are getting people out, the music teachers working at home who have tons of students a week for $80 an hour, that is real activity, real economic activity and real cultural activity that makes Alaska what it is.”
Many of the attendees on Saturday were not just musicians but venue owners, audio engineers, promoters and more, hence why organizers prefer to use the term “music makers.”
The theme for the summit was “Level Up Together” a focus on upgrading professionalism within the musicmaking space. Topics included things like studio production, promotion, stagecraft, music education policy.
“We’re kind of invisible if we don’t stand up for ourselves and say, ‘Hey, we’re doing amazing stuff,‘” Call said.
On Sunday, participants in the summit will be holding “office hours” at the Organic Oasis in Spenard. It is a time for music professionals to network, ask questions and share ideas on music and music making.
“You could add us to the list of Alaskan cultural pride,” Call said. “You could add us to your conception of being Alaskan. That being Alaskan means you wear Carhartts, and you have the great earrings by the local artisan, and you know how to do the hand geography and also you listen to Alaskan music proudly.”
The event runs through Sunday and will also be hosted in February in Juneau and Fairbanks.
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Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.
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