Why so much emphasis on the negative aspects of aurorae? More constructive would be to devise ways of harnessing the solar wind. Just consider: no lossy convers

Why so much emphasis on the negative aspects of aurorae? More constructive would be to devise ways of harnessing the solar wind. Just consider: no lossy conversion from one form of energy to another; solar wind is 'electricity'. In the 1950s, SF writer Murray Leinster already had the idea of drawing energy from the ionosphere (for spacecraft 'landing grids'). Scientific American in 1974 had an Amateur Scientist article about electrostatic motors, which are powered by atmospheric electricity. (And how many times in history has a curiosity led on to something with rather more tangible benefits...? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeolipile) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeolipile)) And recent experiments with lasers demonstrate that it is possible to open up a channel of ionized air to direct lightning (http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21328584.200-lightning-directed-by-laser-beams.html http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21328584.200-lightning...). All that free electricity above us, wasted on pretty colored lights... ;-)