Earthspace

A film which looks at the interreaction between the Earth's magnetosphere and solar particles, and the possible effects on our climate. Topics covered include: Galileo and Gilbert's historical observations of the Sun, the 1890 solar theory, 1950's speculation that the Sun's magnetism produces the auroras; Goddard's first practical rocket craft in the 1920's, the Russian Sputnik launch [newspaper cuttings only], launch of the US Explorer craft carrying a Geiger counter, discovery of the Van Allen radiation belt; conceptualisation of the solar wind through subsequent research; the ongoing investigation into the cause of the auroras. There are interviews with various academics throughout, along with much footage of the auroras. SEE ALSO: Earthspace, Long Version.

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