This guided inquiry tutorial for introductory astronomy courses aims to deepen student understanding of magnetic fields produced by current-carrying wires by introducing auroral electrojet phenomena as a large-scale model of electric current interaction in a magnetic field. Students will examine perturbations in Earth's magnetic field as measured by the International Real-time Magnetic Observatory Network to infer the direction and strength of currents running through the ionosphere.

This tutorial is designed to supplement Lecture-Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy  for lecture-style classrooms as well as for use in recitation or tutorial classrooms.