Alfvén

This shape arises from charged particles riding into the atmosphere on Alfvén waves.

The particles are drawn down by disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field called Alfvén waves.

An antenna at one end of the instrument generated its own magnetic field, which essentially plucked the magnetic field lines within the canister to send Alfvén waves rippling through the plasma.

For decades, scientists have suspected that electrons ride ripples in Earth’s magnetic field, called Alfvén waves, into the atmosphere, like tiny surfers catching waves to shore.