<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Neal Brown]]></title><description><![CDATA[Neal Brown dedicated over four decades to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and inspired countless individuals with his passion for discovery and education. Born in 1938, Neal's journey led him from early work with NASA to becoming a beloved figure in Alaska science education. His fascination with the aurora borealis drew him to Fairbanks in the mid-1960s. This marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to understanding the aurora, Earth's atmosphere, and space.

Poker Flat Research Range is the only university-owned rocket range in the world and is a premier facility for launching sounding rockets for scientific research. Neal served as the director for 18 years, overseeing numerous rocket launches and other research projects, and enormous improvements in the infrastructure there. Later, he led the Alaska Space Grant Program, promoting education and research in aerospace and earth sciences across the state.

"What we had were a bunch of experienced hooligans with Alaska homesteader personalities who had a hunch they could do it better and cheaper than "those NASA guys""  (Neal Brown)]]></description><link>https://www.nealbrownrockets.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:26:58 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.nealbrownrockets.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Poker Flat Rocket Launches]]></title><description><![CDATA[Honest John launch from Poker Flat in June 1977 (1000 frame per second movie) This rare high-speed (1,000 frames per second) film captures the launch of the Honest John–boosted Javelin sounding rocket (PF-HJJ-129) from Poker Flat Research Range on June 6, 1977. The scientific mission tested the performance of a Styrofoam heat shield designed to protect rockets during Alaska's harsh winters, documenting in remarkable detail how the shield separated during launch. RL Super Arcas Launches from...]]></description><link>https://www.nealbrownrockets.com/post/poker-flat-rocket-launches</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6bd39adc0c1fe07d447837</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:46:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://vimeo.com/230525534?share=copy&amp;fl=sv&amp;fe=ci" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Hanna Spencer</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[History of Poker Flat Lecture by Neal Brown on September 25, 2017]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this 90-minute presentation for the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Neal Brown shares personal stories and behind-the-scenes insights from his 18 years as a supervisor and director of Poker Flat Research Range. Drawing on decades of experience, he recounts the people, challenges, and scientific milestones that helped establish Poker Flat as one of the world's leading sounding rocket research facilities.]]></description><link>https://www.nealbrownrockets.com/post/history-of-poker-flat-lecture-by-neal-brown-on-september-25-2017</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6b84e03e0c16484fefdd00</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:07:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://vimeo.com/235952923" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Hanna Spencer</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aurora Impact on Human Activities - 2015]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this engaging 2015 presentation at Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks, Alaska, Neal Brown explains why the aurora borealis is far more than a beautiful natural spectacle. Drawing on decades of research at the University of Alaska's Geophysical Institute and Poker Flat Research Range, he describes how intense auroral activity can disrupt modern technology, affecting everything from aircraft navigation and radio communications to satellites and power systems. Blending scientific insight...]]></description><link>https://www.nealbrownrockets.com/post/aurora-impact-on-human-activities-2015</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6b84945cf1d22b8d72d6c9</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:06:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://vimeo.com/147107175" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Hanna Spencer</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aurora Explained 1986]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is an educational documentary produced by Neal Brown, Dan Osborne, and Tom Hallinan as part of the Aurora Color Television Project. Featuring stunning broadcast-quality color footage of the aurora borealis, the film explains the science behind the Northern Lights while showcasing the pioneering work of the University of Alaska's Geophysical Institute and Poker Flat Research Range. A follow-up to the team's 1986 film, Aurora, it was originally released on VHS and later transferred to DVD...]]></description><link>https://www.nealbrownrockets.com/post/aurora-explained-1986</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6b83dd5cf1d22b8d72d507</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:04:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://vimeo.com/163010304?share=copy&amp;fl=sv&amp;fe=ci" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Hanna Spencer</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lecture: The Mysterious and Magical Aurora by Dr. Neal Brown]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Mysterious and Magical Aurora by Neal Brown "Aurora are almost magical in the sense that they can suddenly fill the sky with wondrous light that captivates our attention. I specialize in attempting to help the non-scientist understand the how and why aurora occur as they do near simultaneously in both the northern and southern polar regions." Presented by Arctic Audubon Society http://arcticaudubon.org]]></description><link>https://www.nealbrownrockets.com/post/lecture-the-mysterious-and-magical-aurora-by-dr-neal-brown</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a6b830a2aa0dd3fa15f0e87</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:00:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMm5ZvkHjq8" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Hanna Spencer</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>