Scientists studied northern lights to new heights with balloon launches

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Two weather balloons rose into the frigid Alaska air early April 12, on a quest to photograph and study the dazzling northern lights display that danced around them.A group of scientists had been launching such instrument-laden balloons for the past week or so from a variety of locations near Fairbanks. The auroras had proved somewhat elusive, but they were bold and bright in Thursday's wee hours above the summit of Murphy Dome mountain, and the researchers' excitement was palpable.  more...