Störmer's work on the physics of the aurora
Abstract
With the recent advances in our knowledge of luminescence and electrical effects in rarified gases, hypotheses of auroral formation have become fewer in number and more specific in detail. The spectroscope and transit long ago showed that the aurora is an excitation to luminescence of the upper portions of the Earth's atmosphere. Further study with the spectroscope showed that the luminescence is such as could be caused only by a bombardment of cathode rays, corpuscles, or negative electrons, whatever they may be called. If the light had been caused by a steady current of electricity or by an electric wave it would be reddish orange instead of bluish white in color and would exhibit an altogether different spectrum.
- Publication:
-
Terrestrial Magnetism and Atmospheric Electricity
- Pub Date:
- 1908
- DOI:
- 10.1029/TE013i001p00023
- Bibcode:
- 1908TeMAE..13...23N