"Invisible shield" blocks high-speed electrons above Earth
Posted: Sun, Nov 30, 2014, 11:37 AM ET (1637 GMT)
Scientists said they have discovered a sharp feature in the Earth's magnetosphere that is blocking relativistic electrons from reaching the atmosphere. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, scientists reported finding an "extremely sharp" boundary about 11,600 kilometers above the Earth where incoming electrons moving at close to the speed of light suddenly stopped. How that barrier is formed is unclear, although scientists speculate that it could be linked to low frequency electromagnetic waves created by the tenuous upper atmosphere that extends into the Van Allen belts. The discovery was made using data from NASA's Van Allen Probes mission.
Scientists said they have discovered a sharp feature in the Earth's magnetosphere that is blocking relativistic electrons from reaching the atmosphere. In a paper published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, scientists reported finding an "extremely sharp" boundary about 11,600 kilometers above the Earth where incoming electrons moving at close to the speed of light suddenly stopped. How that barrier is formed is unclear, although scientists speculate that it could be linked to low frequency electromagnetic waves created by the tenuous upper atmosphere that extends into the Van Allen belts. The discovery was made using data from NASA's Van Allen Probes mission.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
House appropriators seeking alternatives to SLS EUS upper stage
Posted: Sun, Jul 27 12:52 PM ET (1652 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, August 1
Texas-based Firefly Aerospace plans go to public
Texas Standard — 6:17 am ET (1017 GMT) Trump’s first-term space policy was great, but now he’s dropping the ball
The Hill — 6:14 am ET (1014 GMT) Poised for growth, Millennium prioritizes efficiency and capacity
Defense News — 6:14 am ET (1014 GMT) Fort Huachuca recommended for new U.S. Space Force mission
KVOA-TV Tucson — 6:13 am ET (1013 GMT) Senate’s $852 Billion Defense Budget Saves Wedgetail, Keeps Space Force Flat
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:13 am ET (1013 GMT) |
