NASA said it's launched four sounding rockets into the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis from Alaska to gain more knowledge about the dynamic atmospheric currents in the Earth's atmosphere.

The four launches occurred within 30 minutes of each other at a launch site in Fairbanks, Alaska.

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Researchers say Monday morning's launch at the Poker Flat Research Range was apt since weather conditions were perfect and the sky was filled with stunning Northern Lights. The initial launch was delayed for 13 days due to unsuitable weather.

Two of the four rockets contain a special gas called trimethyl aluminum that will glow white when this visible vapor makes contact with the aurora. The vapor trails will be photographed from a ground station so researchers can get a better idea of the atmospheric turbulence 60 miles above the planet.

This study will further explain how turbulent and diffusive forces and processes transport heat and other constituents all over the atmosphere that will benefit greatly pollution studies to satellite drag in space, according to Richard Collins from the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska.

The Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights occur when electrically charged particles from solar winds transmitted via sunlight enter the atmosphere and hit the planet's magnetic fields. The particles are ionized as they stream through the atmosphere, hence the bright visual display of lights in the skies.  

Even if the Northern Lights present a beautiful optical treat, it's also an important part of the Earth's meteorological processes and can affect the overall atmosphere.

TagsNASA Launches Four Rockets Into the Northern Lights in Alaska, NASA, Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights, Alaska, rockets launched into northern lights aurora borealis alaska