Auroral Currents Activity
| Levels |
|
|---|---|
| Material Type |
|
| Heliophysics Big Ideas |
|
| NGSS |
|
| Heliophysics Topics |
|
| Heliophysics Missions |
|
| Material Cost per Learner | Free |
| Language | English |
This guided inquiry activity gives students the opportunity to practice and extend their knowledge of magnetic fields produced by current-carrying wires. They examine perturbations in the Earth’s magnetic field as measured by the International Real-time Magnetic Observatory Network (using data publicly available at www.intermagnet.org) to infer the direction and strength of currents running through the ionosphere.
Use the selected response questions to probe student thinking about the magnetic fields produced by line currents. This resource is designed to be used either as homework or in small discussions with methods such as Peer Instruction, Teaching with Clickers, or CAE Think-Pair-Share. Watch the pre-lecture video to learn more about implementing the activity.