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A Virtual Tour of Electric SpaceTM:

a virtual exhibit on the World Wide Web developed by the Space Science Institute.



The plasma sphere shown here is an engaging display in the Electric Space pilot developed by the Space Science Institute.


Imagine looking up at the stars on a cold arctic night in March and seeing, for the first time, lights which dance and undulate from horizon to horizon. These lights, called Northern and Southern lights, are also called aurora after the Roman goddess of dawn. They have mystified and puzzled humans for centuries. Many people do not realize that the aurora are caused by changes on the Sun, 93 million miles away from Earth.

The Electric Space virtual tour tells the story of Space Physics. This young science stands at the intersection of two worlds of inquiry: Earth Science and Astronomy. The study of the Sun, plasma -- the fourth state of matter, and space weather are the major scientific themes of Space Physics. Besides the Sun having a profound effect on Earth's environment, understanding our closest star can also help us to decipher the secrets of plasma astrophysics, the realm of distant stars.

This virtual tour will give you an overview of the dynamic beauty and power of our solar-terrestrial environment. We are learning that events in this vast region of space affect life on Earth and, even more directly, humankind's activities in space. The exploration of this region has only just begun. Many mysteries remain. Enjoy the show.

Space is not Empty
Plasma, The Fourth State of Matter
The Dynamic Sun
Planet Earth, a Great Magnet
The Cosmic Connection


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