Mysterious space signals pose threat to Earth’s satellites
These short electromagnetic pulses resemble birdsong; however, they pose a significant threat to the functioning of satellites orbiting our planet. Where do these unique signals come from?
An international team of astronomers has discovered mysterious signals in an unexpected region of space, raising questions about their origin, reports ScienceAlert.
The team identified these mysterious signals, also known as chorus waves, in an unexpected region of space. These pulses resemble birdsong. It was previously thought that they result from plasma instability involving ionized gas.
Mysterious signals from space
Until now, chorus waves had been recorded in outer space at up to 32,000 miles from our planet, where the Earth's magnetic field is most potent. However, the latest research has revealed the presence of these waves even at a distance of 103,000 miles from Earth. This new discovery indicates that the sources of chorus waves can be scattered in different parts of space.
The research was based on analyzing images from NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, launched in 2015. For the first time, scientists observed the process of energy transfer from plasma particles to chorus waves in regions where electrons are sparse, known as electron holes.
Chorus waves are among the strongest electromagnetic radiation pulses in space, making them crucial for understanding Earth's radiation belts and a potential threat to satellites. These discoveries may help solve the mystery of chorus emissions and provide insight into energy transport in outer space.
Other planets, such as Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, also exhibit chorus waves, offering information about the formation of magnetic fields around planets. This research, published in "Nature," may contribute to a better understanding of space.
