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NASA scientists have detected and measured Earth’s polar wind, an invisible electric field responsible for atmospheric particle escape.
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The discovery was made possible by the Endurance sounding rocket mission, which gathered data from the upper atmosphere.
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The polar wind plays a crucial role in understanding Earth’s atmospheric dynamics and evolution.
After a 60-year search, NASA scientists have finally detected and measured Earth’s elusive polar wind. This invisible electric field is responsible for the rapid escape of atmospheric particles from the planet’s poles. The discovery was made possible by the international Endurance sounding rocket mission, which gathered data from the upper atmosphere.
The polar wind forms at an altitude of roughly 150 miles, where atmospheric atoms split into charged particles. The electric field acts as a tether, counteracting gravity and allowing some particles to escape into space. The researchers found that hydrogen ions experience an outward force 10.6 times stronger than gravity, propelling them into space at supersonic speeds.
This discovery has significant implications for understanding atmospheric escape on other planets and the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere. Further research could reveal the polar wind’s role in shaping our planet’s oceans and climate.
