Aurora Exhibit
Aurora exhibit offers visitors a hands-on opportunity to explore the physics behind one of nature’s most stunning light displays. Using a controlled experimental model, the exhibit recreates the aurora effect inside a specially designed vacuum chamber, providing an immersive and educational experience for all ages.
Visitor Experience of Aurora Exhibit
At the heart of the Aurora Exhibit is a transparent glass tube containing two aluminum spheres of different sizes, each generating distinct magnetic fields. A vacuum pump removes air from the chamber, mimicking the conditions of space, while a high-voltage power supply enables the formation of an electric arc.
Visitors can activate the exhibit by pressing a button, triggering a dazzling display of plasma light between the spheres—just like the real auroras that dance across the polar skies. As the arcs shift and shimmer, guests can observe the interaction between charged particles and magnetic fields, unveiling the science behind this celestial phenomenon.
Lessons Learned
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is caused by the interaction of solar wind particles with Earth’s magnetosphere. When charged particles from the Sun collide with atmospheric gases, they become excited and emit colorful light displays, primarily in polar regions.
The Aurora Exhibit models this process by creating a controlled plasma discharge within a vacuum environment. The aluminum spheres act as magnetic poles, guiding the charged particles into arcs of glowing plasma—similar to how Earth’s magnetic field directs solar particles into the upper atmosphere. By witnessing this miniature aurora, visitors gain a deeper understanding of electromagnetism, plasma physics, and the role of Earth’s magnetosphere in protecting our planet from solar radiation.
- Through hands-on interaction with the interactive, visitors will:
- Discover how Earth’s magnetic field shapes and influences auroras.
- Understand the role of charged particles in plasma physics.
- Learn about the impact of solar wind on planetary atmospheres.
- Explore the relationship between electricity, magnetism, and light.
The exhibit encourages curiosity, inspiring guests to think about the larger universe and how similar processes occur on other planets with magnetic fields, such as Jupiter and Saturn.
Target Age
- From 6
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