Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    TopBuzzMagazine.com
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Home
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Music
    • Fashion
    • Books
    • Science
    • Technology
    • Cover Story
    • Contact
      • About
      • Amazon Disclaimer
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Privacy Policy
      • DMCA / Copyrights Disclaimer
    TopBuzzMagazine.com
    Home»Science»Ultra-fast electron rain is pouring out of Earth’s magnetosphere, and
    Science

    Ultra-fast electron rain is pouring out of Earth’s magnetosphere, and

    By AdminApril 19, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Tomorrow’s weather may be cloudy with a chance of electrons, thanks to a newly detected phenomenon in Earth’s magnetic shield.

    Described as unexpected, ultra-fast “electron precipitation,” the phenomenon occurs when waves of electromagnetic energy pulse through Earth‘s magnetosphere – the magnetic field generated by the churning of Earth’s core, which surrounds our planet and shields it from deadly solar radiation. These electrons then overflow from the magnetosphere and plummet toward Earth. 

    The torrential electron rains are more likely to occur during solar storms, and they may contribute to the aurora borealis, according to research published March 25 in the journal Nature Communications. However, the researchers added, electron rains may also pose a threat to astronauts and spacecraft in ways that space radiation models don’t currently account for.

    “Although space is commonly thought to be separate from our upper atmosphere, the two are inextricably linked,” study co-author Vassilis Angelopoulos, a professor of space physics at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) said in a statement. “Understanding how they’re linked can benefit satellites and astronauts passing through the region.” 

    Scientists have known for decades that energetic particles periodically rain down on our planet in small quantities. These particles originate in the sun and sail across the 93 million-mile-wide (150 million kilometers) gap to Earth on the back of solar wind. Our planet’s magnetosphere traps many of these particles in one of two giant, donut-shaped belts of radiation known as the Van Allen belts. Occasionally, waves generated within these belts cause electrons to speed up and tumble into Earth’s atmosphere.

    The new study shows that electron downpours can occur far more often than previous research thought possible.

    In their new research, the study authors analyzed electron showers in the Van Allen belts using data from two satellites: the Electron Losses and Fields Investigation (ELFIN) spacecraft, a satellite about the size of a bread loaf that orbits low in Earth’s atmosphere; and the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft, which orbits Earth beyond the Van Allen belts.

    Monitoring electron fluxes in the Van Allen belts from above and below, the team was able to detect electron rain events in great detail. The THEMIS data showed that these electron downpours were caused by whistler waves — a type of low-frequency radio wave that originates during lightning strikes and then surges through Earth’s magnetosphere.

    These energetic waves can accelerate electrons in the Van Allen belts, causing them to spill over and rain down on the lower atmosphere, the researchers found. Additionally, the ELFIN satellite data showed that these rains can occur far more often than previous research suggested, and they can become especially prevalent during solar storms.

    Current space weather models account for some sources of electron precipitation into Earth’s atmosphere (such as impacts from solar wind, for example) — however, they do not account for whistler-wave-induced electron showers, according to the researchers. High-energy charged particles can damage satellites and pose hazards to astronauts caught in their path. By further understanding this source of electron rain, scientists can update their models to better protect the people and machines that spend their time high above our planet, the new study authors said.

    Originally published on Live Science.

    Read The Full Article Here

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Apollo astronauts discovered the moon is covered in tiny orange glass beads. Now we finally know why.

    June 17, 2025

    Earth’s mantle may have hidden plumes venting heat from its core

    June 16, 2025

    NZ has a vast sea territory but lags behind other nations in protecting the ocean

    June 16, 2025

    James Webb telescope discovers ‘a new kind of climate’ on Pluto, unlike anything else in our solar system

    June 15, 2025

    How a US agriculture agency became key in the fight against bird flu

    June 15, 2025

    Chatbots easily tricked; better strength training; dynamics of a neural ‘reward map’

    June 14, 2025
    popular posts

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Realme 10 Pro+ Tipped to Have

    Station 19 Season 7 Episode 3 Review: True Colors

    The CEDYs First Look: Cedric The Entertainer & Max Greenfield

    Cardi B Delivers Speech on Women’s Rights, Healthcare, and More at Kamala Harris’ Milwaukee Rally

    Here’s how smart designs can help prevent losing our wildlife to benches and ballparks

    The Rookie Season 6 Episode 4 Review: Training Day

    Psychological Thriller Follows Twin Sisters’ Dark Coming-of-Age Story

    Categories
    • Books (3,231)
    • Cover Story (2)
    • Events (18)
    • Fashion (2,400)
    • Interviews (43)
    • Movies (2,531)
    • Music (2,809)
    • News (153)
    • Science (4,381)
    • Technology (2,524)
    • Television (3,253)
    • Uncategorized (932)
    Archives
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube Reddit TikTok
    © 2025 Top Buzz Magazine. All rights reserved. All articles, images, product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT