Journey Through the Heliosphere: Aurora

Two pages extracted from the "Journey Through the Heliosphere: The Sun-Earth System in Color" booklet. The pages go into detail about the Auroras, and include a note relating the topic to indigenous Alaskan languages.

This booklet blends art and science, making complex heliophysics concepts accessible. A collaborative work between the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (HEAT), it aims to educate readers about the Sun and its influence on Earth and the solar system.

The book covers various topics related to the Sun-Earth system, including: the Sun, Solar Magnetic Fields, and Solar Wind; the Earth, Auroras, Eclipses, Seasons, and Earth's Climate; the Universe, Habitable Zones, the Solar System, and the Life Cycle of Stars. A significant feature of the book is its inclusion of Alaska Native languages, providing words related to the Sun and sky from cultures such as Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Central Yupik/Cup'ik, Iñupiaq, Lower Koyukon Athabascan, Ten Kenaga'/Lower Tanana Athabascan, Ts'msyen/Sm'algyax, and Xaad kil/Haida.

The coloring book is designed for both educators and learners, aims to spark curiosity and creativity, and is aligned with the Framework for Heliophysics Education (FHE). A glossary of science terms is provided at the end.

This project is the result of collaboration between NASA HEAT, the UAF Geophysical Institute, and Arctic and Earth SIGNS, a UAF International Arctic Research Center project also funded through NASA's SciAct program.