We’re in the lowest layer.
Down here, elements like oxygen and nitrogen are balanced, breathable and hold electrons steadily in atomic orbit.
This is what’s called the neutral gas atmosphere.
As we rise through the layers, things change.
It’s a fourth state of matter, known as a plasma.
And the existence of these two atmosphere types means there’s a shift from one to the other.
The boundary isn’t clear, but it’s definitely there.
And when auroras form, they change thingseven more.
But here’s what we don’t know.
What do these aurora particles do to the space in our atmosphere where neutral gas meets plasma?
What happens around the boundary?
Each will be attached to two separate rockets called sounding rockets, straight into an active aurora.
Upon descent, though, the payloads will have attained buckets of valuable information about the auroras.
It’s like dying the air to watch it move around.
Then the second rocket will measure temperature and density of the plasma in the aurora’s vicinity.
