SMILE Spacecraft Records Full Auroral Oval in Ultraviolet

The ESA and CAS SMILE spacecraft has captured a complete auroral oval in ultraviolet light, visible even during daylight hours. A time-lapse video from late July illustrates the dynamic nature of auroras, providing crucial data. These observations enhance understanding of solar wind interaction with Earth's magnetosphere, which is vital for protecting astronauts, spacecraft, and electrical grids from solar storms.