Parts of the US east coast were treated to a light show on Wednesday when NASA launched a sounding rocket packed with Barium and Strontium. When
Parts of the US east coast were treated to a light show on Wednesday when NASA launched a sounding rocket packed with Barium and Strontium. When released the elements caused colourful clouds to form.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
It was all part of a study into the Earth’s ionosphere. NASA also used the launch to test material which it says could help space travel to become cheaper.
NASA regularly conducts launches such as this to study the movement of ionized and neutral particles in the upper atmosphere. They usually last around 30 minutes.
The elements released this time allowed scientists to better spot clouds as the Earth’s magnetic field pushes them around the ionosphere.
#Virginia NASA successfully launches sounding rockets into space from Virginia flight… http://t.co/3CVMVAQa7X #va http://t.co/f5W70DzvFg
— FilAm VA (@FilAmVA) October 8, 2015