Geomagnetic field lines can guide energetic charged particles (electrons and protons) from magnetosphere or magnetosheath (Figure 1) down to Earth's atmosphere. Precipitating particles loose their energy via collisions with the neutral particles and ionize them at approximately the same altitude range (100 to 600 km altitude) than solar UV radiation when creating the ionosphere. In addition, some of the atmospheric constituents are excited to higher energy levels: this can lead to emission of auroral light. Most of this activity occur within auroral oval. The auroral oval is a "fiktiv oval" around the Earths geomagnetic poles (Figure 2). It can be seen as a propabilty to see the aurora (red represents a high probility). Figure 2 illustrates that at midlatitudes one expects a low propability to see aurora.

Figure 2: Space-view by the Polar satellite onto the Earth northern hemisphere. The auroral oval is clearly seen around the polar cap.	Figure 3: Picture made by J. Jussila (right). At the left M.A. Danielides stands with a simple photo stand and a mirrorw reflex camera. Above an impressiv auroral display is seen. This picture was taken during an auroral campaign in November 1997 close to Kilpisjärvi / Finland.

An often used classification divides the aurora two forms: i) discrete and ii) diffuse precipitation. In addition, while the nightside auroras reflect the dynamics of the magnetotail, dayside precipitation relates more directly to solar wind parameters. Auroras during magnetospheric substorms and, especially, the great auroras during magnetospheric storms can create extremely impressive spectacles, and it is no wonder that auroras have entered into the folklore of peoples living at high latitudes, e.g. Eskimos, Samish and South-American Indians.

The newest geomagnetic parameters are shown below (update every 10 minutes). Via "click" you are able to access the american NOOA internet pages. Solar X-rays are influencing the ionopheres of the planetes - also Earth ionosphere. They are a key parameter in the modern space and aurora research. The amplitude of the gemagnetic field B is a criteria for aurora determination and forcasting.

Solar X-rays:

Geomagnetic Field:

Now you might ask how did I got involved with the northerlights? From my early childhood I (Michael A. Danielides) was interested in astronomy. As next step I started studying physics at the Free University of Berlin in 1991. It was like coming closer to fulfil myself a dream of 'touching the sky'. However, this dream was rapidly modified in the moment I observed my first aurora in early spring 1993, during a winter hiking trip in northern Scandinavian via snow shoes and tent ... You have to understand in the far, almost empty and totally frozen-in last wilderness of northern Europe the aurora can touch a mans' soul as nothing else could do! So I found my way to investigate the aurora. First just as an amateur (taking nice photographs) and since 1997 as post-graduate student at the University of Oulu. Since that time I have written various scientific papers and reports. By the way: Feel free to read, comment on them and give me any reply. Finally in 2005 I received a PhD in space physics from the University of Oulu. After a short 'research holiday' in industry I was so lucky to be accepted as an Post Doctoral Fellow at the Geophysical Institut / University of Alaska Fairbanks. Together with Prof. Dirk Lummerzheim and Prof. Antonious Otto we were studying the physics of vertical and horizontal plasma winds above auroral filaments located in the auroral oval.
My Post Doctoral time followed another 'research holiday' in German space industry. While testing space vehicles at one of Europes most known space test centers I found myslef pulled back towards the fascination of the aurora. The possibility to continue my research and work of high latitude ionospheric phenomena was granted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), for which I am working.
In case you won't be able to spot any aurora because of cloud coverage or sunny mid-summer night conditions, you might like to have a look to my doctoral thesis about aurora studies. Download it as PDF-file from the electronical library / University of Oulu.
Today I am interested in the physics of Earths upper atmosphere (ionosphere and magnetosphere) and small scale features of the auroral phenomena. Besides structures, and dynamics within and around the auroral phenomena the study of distortion of ionospheric phenomena on the transionospheric GNSS-communication is one of my main research areas. As the national representative for Germany I am serving the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI) and the AEF e.V.
But really, there is a universe to be discovered and we are just starting to open our eyes. Who knows what we may find?

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DISCLAIMER: In the past people have been asking frequently to buy some enlarged colour copies of those auroral pictures. So far the policy has been not to sell any of the images. Remember: Those pictures above are only in internet quality. However, also they are under copyright and copying and publishing them is prohibited without permission, since they are reserved for publications in popular scientific journals or for educational purposes when proper citied (e.g. lectures for student at schools or universities). Commercial education purposes are excluded! For further information please contact: Michael A. Danielides.