The first space hurricane is confirmed over the North Pole following observations of a 621-mile-swirling plasma mass that rained electrons into the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
- Scientists have confirmed space hurricanes for the first time in the Earth’s atmosphere
- The event was observed hundreds of miles above the North Pole
- An analysis of a 621 m wide swirling plasma mass was determined.
- Researchers say it rained electrons and had the characteristics of other hurricanes
Scientists have confirmed the existence of space hurricanes following observations of electrons raining in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
A team led by Shandong University in China made the announcement after analyzing a 621-mile-wide plasma round mass observed hundreds of miles above the North Pole.
Observations show a large cyclone-shaped auroral zone with an almost zero center of flow and a strong horizontal circular flow of plasma and scissors, all found in hurricanes in the lower atmosphere – but instead of raining water, it rained electrons.
The space hurricane moved in a counterclockwise rotation and lasted about eight hours before failing.
Scientists warn that such storms could disrupt GPS systems, but could also provide more insight into the effects of space weather.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of space hurricanes following observations of electrons raining in the Earth’s upper atmosphere
Professor Mike Lockwood, a space scientist at the University of Reading, said hurricanes could be a universal phenomenon on planets and moons with magnetic fields and plasma.
He said: “Until now, it was uncertain that space plasma hurricanes existed, so it is incredible to prove this with such a striking observation.
“Tropical storms are associated with huge amounts of energy, and these space hurricanes must be created by the unusually large and rapid transfer of solar wind energy and charged particles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
“Plasma and magnetic fields in the planet’s atmosphere exist throughout the universe, so the findings suggest that space hurricanes should be a widespread phenomenon.”
Observations show a large cyclone-shaped auroral zone with an almost zero center of flow and a strong horizontal circular flow of plasma and scissors, all of which are found in hurricanes in the lower atmosphere.
In the picture is a drawing showing the characteristics of the space hurricane, including its electron precipitation and the central eye.
Previous observations have found space hurricanes on Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, which are similar to hurricanes in the lower atmosphere, along with solar gas that swirls deep in the sun’s atmosphere.
The latest discovery is the first time a hurricane has been observed in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
“A hurricane is clearly associated with strong energy and mass transport, so a hurricane in the Earth’s upper atmosphere must be violent and effectively transfer the energy and momentum of the solar wind / magnetosphere into the Earth’s ionosphere,” reads study published in Nature.
The space hurricane was observed on August 20, 2014, which scientists documented as a relatively stable state of the north interplanetary magnetic field (IMF).
The space hurricane was observed on August 20, 2014, which scientists documented as a relatively stable state of the interplanetary magnetic field to the north. After about eight hours, the space hurricane died when the IMF turned south
The IMF is the solar magnetic field that is pulled by the corona by the solar wind.
The space hurricane, which occurred during a period of low geomagnetic activity, proved to share many features with hurricanes in the lower atmosphere of the Earth, including a quiet center, multiple spiral arms and widespread circulation.
After about eight hours, the space hurricane died when the IMF turned south.
The team explained that space hurricanes open a rapid channel for energy transfer from space to the ionosphere and thermosphere, which could help reveal important details of the effects of space weather, such as increased satellite resistance, disruptions in high-frequency radio communications. and increased errors at over the horizon radar location, satellite navigation and communications systems.