There are trillions of charged molecules – Protons and ElectronsThe basic building blocks – roaming over your head at any specific time. These high -energy molecules, which can travel close to the speed of light, usually remain thousands of kilometers from the ground, besieged there in the form of the Earth’s magnetic field.
Sometimes, though, an event can wander in place, send electrons Earth’s atmosphere. These high -energy molecules in space constitute what is known as as Van Allen’s radiation beltsTheir discovery was one of the first space. New study From my search team, it was found that the electromagnetic waves created by Lightning can lead to this electronic shower.
A brief history lesson
At the beginning of the space race in the fifties, the professor James van Allen The Iowa University’s research team was assigned to build an flight experience in the first satellite of the United States, Explorer 1. They designed the study sensors Cosmic radiationWhich are caused by the high -energy molecules arising from the sun, or the Milky Way, or outside.
After the launch of Explorer 1, they noticed that their tool was very discovered Supreme levels of radiation What was expected. Instead of measuring a radiation source outside our solar system, it seemed to measure a very local and intense source.
This measurement led to discovery Van Allen radiation belts, two Doughnut -shaped areas of electrons and high -energy ions that surround the planet.
Scientists believe that the inner radiation belt, which reaches about 621 miles (1000 km) of the Earth, consists of high -energy electrons and protons and relatively stable over time.
The external radiation belt consists about three times away, from high -energy electrons. This belt It can be very dynamic. Its location, intensity and energy content may vary greatly per hour in response to solar activity.
The discovery of these high radiation areas is not only an interesting story about the first days of the space race; It is also a reminder that many scientific discoveries have occurred through a happy accident.
It is a lesson for experimental scientists, I am includingTo keep an open mind when analyzing and evaluating data. If the data does not match our theories or expectations, these theories may need to be reviewed.
Our strange notes
Although I am studying the history of space race in the space policy course at Colorado University, Bulder, I rarely connect it to my own experience as a scientist looking for radiation belts for the Earth. Or, at least, I haven’t done until recently.
In a study led by Max Finland, a university student in my research group, we stumbled on each other Unexpected notes From the ground radiation belts. We have made the results that we have re -thinking about our understanding of the internal radiation belt of the Earth and the processes that affect it.
Originally, we began to search for very fast-second-second- Pracors of high -power electrons Enter the atmosphere of the outer radiation belt, where it is usually noticed.
Many scholars believe A type of electromagnetic wave known as “choir” can expel these electrons outside the place and send it towards the atmosphere. They are called choir waves due to Voice of the outstanding slave When listening to the future of the radio.
Feinland developed an algorithm to search for these events for decades of measurements from SAMPEX satellite. When I showed me a conspiracy with the site of all the events I discovered, we noticed that a number of them were not the place we expected. Some events were set to the internal radiation belt instead of the outer belt.
This conclusion was curious for two reasons. On the one hand, the choir’s waves are not prevalent in this area, so he should have shake these electrons.
Another surprise was to find electrons this active in the internal radiation belt. Measurements The task of achieving NASA van Allen The renewal of attention in the internal radiation belt has paid. Notes from Van Allen’s investigations indicate that high -power electrons Often there is no In this internal radiation belt, at least not during the first few years of that task, from 2012 to 2014.
Our observations now showed that in reality, there are times the inner belt contains high -power electrons. How often this is true and under any conditions that remain open questions to explore. These high -energy molecules The damage can be damaged And to harm human beings in space, so researchers need to know when and where they are in space are present to design a better spacecraft.
Determine the perpetrator
One of the ways to annoy electrons in the inner radiocy belt and kick it in the Earth’s atmosphere actually begins in the same atmosphere.
Lightning, and Large electromagnetic discharges The sky can light during thunderstorms, in fact it is born electromagnetic waves known as the name The valves created by lightning.
These waves can move through the air to space, where they are Interaction with electrons In the internal radiation belt – as the choir waves interact with electrons in the outer radiation belt.
To test if the lightning was behind the discovery of our inner radiation belt, we looked back in the electron’s shroups and we compared it with Thunderstorm data. Some lightning activity looked associated with our electron events, but many of them were not.
Specifically, the Lightning, which occurred immediately after the so -called geological magnetic storms, led to the electrons that we discovered.
Gynectic magnetic storms They are disturbances in the space environment near Earth, often caused by large revolutions on the surface of the sun. This solar activity, if directed towards Earth, can produce its term for researchers Space weather. Space weather can lead to amazing Ura, but it can disrupt satellite and power network operations.
We discovered that a group of weather on Earth and weather in space produces the unique electron signatures that we have noticed in our study. Solar activity disturbs the ground radiation belts and fills the inner belt with very high -energy electrons, then lightning interacts with these electrons and creates the rapid ships that we have noticed.
These results provide a nice reminder of the interconnected nature of the Earth and space. They also served as a welcome reminder of the non -linear process of scientific discovery.
This article has been republished from ConversationAn independent, non -profit news organization brings you facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Lauren Bloomand Colorado Bulder University
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Lauren Bloom receives funding from NASA and NSF.
