Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

SPACE

Could Danish astronaut be heading for new lift-off?

Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen could be set for a new journey into space.

Published: 1 March 2018 12:16 CET
Could Danish astronaut be heading for new lift-off?
Andreas Mogensen. Photo: Asger Ladefoged/Scanpix Denmark

European Space Agency (ESA) director Johann-Dietrich Wörner said a decision regarding a new mission would be taken on Monday, reports Videnskab.dk.

ESA's leader has previously stated that it would consider Mogensen for a second trip after the success of his first mission in 2015.

Wörner said following that mission that the Dane's role as a 'space ambassador' would be evaluated.

The ESA director said that the final decision was also dependent upon the whether the International Space Station, including the United States, approves Mogensen for a second mission.

Speaking to Videnskab.dk during a conference in Copenhagen, Wörner said the final decision would be taken next week.

“We do not yet know, but it will be decided on Monday,” he told the Danish science media.

An announcement would follow that decision at a later date, he added.

Mogensen became the first Dane to travel to space in September 2015, when he spent ten days at the International Space Station.

The Danish astronaut has on several occasions confirmed he would like to take another trip into space.

READ ALSO: Denmark's first astronaut back on Earth


Sign up here for a daily selection of the best news, features and opinion from Denmark, via our newsletter

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Why the northern lights might be visible in more of Norway than usual

Current atmospheric conditions mean there's a good chance the aurora borealis will be visible across much more of Norway than normal on Friday.

Published: 19 March 2021 11:26 CET
Updated: 19 March 2021 16:54 CET
Why the northern lights might be visible in more of Norway than usual
Photo by stein egil liland from Pexels

Normally, the northern lights are only visible in northern Norway, typically between April and September.

According to the Geophysical Institute of Alaska the KP index, which is a system of measuring aurora strength, will reach Kp 5 out of a possible 9.

Anything Kp 5 and above is classed as a geomagnetic storm. This means you will be able to see the green lady a lot further south than you usually would.

The reason for this high forecast is “corona holes” (no relation to the pandemic). These are holes in the Sun’s atmosphere, where solar wind is thrown out at high speeds.

The northern lights occur when the protons and electrons from solar wind hit the particles in the Earths atmosphere and release energy.  

“You can see it down towards eastern Norway as an arc on the horizon, while in central Norway and in Trøndelag it will be right over your head.” Pål Brekke, head of space research at the Norwegian Space Center, told newspaper VG.

READ MORE:Taking pictures of the Northern Lights: 10 expert photography tips 

While there will be strong northern lights activity over large parts of the country, it does not necessarily mean that everyone will get to see it.

“It doesn’t look too promising in Nordland and Troms”, state meteorologist, Sjur Wergerland told VG.

However, he also added that the forecast looks much better further south.

Even then though there is no guarantee you will see the northern lights, according to Brekke.

“It is not certain that the northern lights will move as far south as we think, but I recommend people to follow forecasts on websites to stay up to date,” he said.

In order to see the northern lights, the weather will also have to be on your side. Clear skies are best and going to areas with no or low light pollution is important too.

If you are lucky enough to see the lights make sure you don’t wave at them. Doing so will cause the lights to lift you up and take you away according to Norwegian folklore.

SHOW COMMENTS