The Moon
Auroras
Although oceanic tides have long been studied, we now
know that there are atmospheric tides as well that move
in response to the position of the Moon. For example,
auroras are caused by the excitation of atmospheric
molecules by energetic charged particles penetrating
the atmosphere along geomagnetic field lines. Although
the mechanism of this phenomenon is still being
examined, it is generally understood that auroras are
associated with the arrival of solar corpuscular radiation
in the magnetosphere 1 to 3 days after a solar flare.
These particles (depending on their intrinsic energy and
the current density of the atmosphere) penetrate the
atmosphere.
It has now been shown that these auroral peaks and
valleys are modulated by the position of the Moon. This
lunar auroral tidal effect in the upper atmosphere can be
correlated with flood and ebb tides on earth, thus linking