How Other-Worldly Auroras Help Us Explore the Galaxy

Auroras, the stunning light displays on Earth, are not unique to our planet. They occur throughout the solar system and beyond, providing insights into other worlds. On Earth, auroras form when solar wind particles collide with atmospheric molecules, emitting light. Auroras can also reveal hidden features, like Ganymede's potential underground ocean, inferred from its aurora's damped motion. Mars, despite lacking a magnetic field, has proton auroras that indicate atmospheric water loss. Auroras can also help detect exoplanets through radio waves, offering a new method for finding distant worlds.

What causes auroras to occur on Earth?

• Reflections of sunlight on polar ice caps

• Collisions between solar wind particles and Earth's atmosphere

• Volcanic eruptions releasing gases

• Earth's rotation affecting atmospheric pressure

What unique feature does Ganymede have that contributes to its auroras?

• A ring system like Saturn

• A surface covered in ice

• Its own magnetic field

• A thick carbon dioxide atmosphere

What evidence suggests Ganymede might have a subsurface ocean?

• The detection of methane in its atmosphere

• The presence of volcanic activity

• The damped motion of its auroras

• The discovery of ice geysers

Why are Mars's auroras called proton auroras?

• They emit only infrared light

• They occur exclusively at the Martian equator

• They are visible only during solar eclipses

• They are caused by high-energy protons colliding with hydrogen

What seasonal change affects the intensity of Martian auroras?

• The presence of dust storms

• The tilt of Mars's axis

• The distance of Mars from the Sun

• The alignment of Mars's moons

How might auroras help in detecting exoplanets?

• By analyzing the planet's surface temperature

• By detecting the planet's shadow during transit

• By observing radio waves emitted by auroras

• By measuring the gravitational pull of the planet

What type of exoplanets might be detected using auroras?

• Planets with large ring systems

• Planets with active volcanic surfaces

• Jupiter-like planets far from their stars

• Earth-like planets with dense atmospheres