. 24/7 Space News .
SOLAR SCIENCE
FIREBIRD II and NASA mission locate whistling space electrons' origins
by Mara Johnson-Groh for GSFC News
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Nov 16, 2017


The Van Allen Belts, shown in green in this illustration, are concentric doughnut-shaped belts filled with charged particles, trapped by Earth's magnetic field.

Scientists have long known that solar-energized particles trapped around the planet are sometimes scattered into Earth's upper atmosphere where they can contribute to beautiful auroral displays.

Yet for decades, no one has known exactly what is responsible for hurling these energetic electrons on their way. Recently, two spacecraft found themselves at just the right places at the right time to witness first hand both the impulsive electron loss and its cause.

New research using data from NASA's Van Allen Probes mission and FIREBIRD II CubeSat has shown that a common plasma wave in space is likely responsible for the impulsive loss of high-energy electrons into Earth's atmosphere. Known as whistler mode chorus, these waves are created by fluctuating electric and magnetic fields.

The waves have characteristic rising tones - reminiscent of the sounds of chirping birds - and are able to efficiently accelerate electrons. The results have been published in a paper in Geophysical Review Letters.

"Observing the detailed chain of events between chorus waves and electrons requires a conjunction between two or more satellites," said Aaron Breneman, researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and lead author on the paper.

"There are certain things you can't learn by having only one satellite - you need simultaneous observations at different locations."

The study combined data from FIREBIRD II, which cruises at a height of 310 miles above Earth, and from one of the two Van Allen Probes, which travel in a wide orbit high above the planet. From different vantage points, they could gain a better understanding of the chain of cause and effect of the loss of these high-energy electrons.

Far from being an empty void, the space around Earth is a jungle of invisible fields and tiny particles. It's draped with twisted magnetic field lines and swooping electrons and ions.

Dictating the movements of these particles, Earth's magnetic environment traps electrons and ions in concentric belts encircling the planet. These belts, called the Van Allen Radiation Belts, keep most of the high-energy particles at bay.

Sometimes however, the particles escape, careening down into the atmosphere. Typically, there is a slow drizzle of escaping electrons, but occasionally impulsive bunches of particles, called microbursts, are scattered out of the belts.

Late on Jan. 20, 2016, the Van Allen Probes observed chorus waves from its lofty vantage point and immediately after, FIREBIRD II saw microbursts.

The new results confirm that the chorus waves play an important role in controlling the loss of energetic electrons - one extra piece of the puzzle to understand how high-energy electrons are hurled so violently from the radiation belts. This information can additionally help further improve space weather predictions.

SOLAR SCIENCE
Proposed NASA mission would investigate where space weather begins
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Nov 15, 2017
A NASA team is advancing a mission to reveal unprecedented details about solar flares, powerful eruptions that explode with enough energy that each one could power all of Earth for 16,000 years, and which - when extreme - can interfere with radio communications and satellites near Earth. The proposed mission, Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager, or FOXSI, was one of five proposals that rece ... read more

Related Links
Van Allen Probes
Solar Science News at SpaceDaily


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SOLAR SCIENCE
NASA Moves Up Critical Crew Safety Launch Abort Test

NanoRacks launches Full External Cygnus Deployer on OA-8 to ISS

Robotic arm reaches out and grapples Cygnus

Colossal SoftBank fund could shake up tech world

SOLAR SCIENCE
Baikonur for Russia, Kazakhstan offers UAE Baikonur for launches

Orbital ATK launches eighth cargo mission to space

The state of commercial spaceports in 2017

Vega launches Earth observation satellite for Morocco

SOLAR SCIENCE
Fracture swarms on Mars driven by ancient tectonics

Mars 2020 Mission performs first supersonic parachute test

New partnership on Mars drone applications research

Russia's Roscosmos may take part in creation of 'Martian Town' in Dubai

SOLAR SCIENCE
China plans first sea based launch by 2018

China's reusable spacecraft to be launched in 2020

Space will see Communist loyalty: Chinese astronaut

China launches three satellites

SOLAR SCIENCE
Space Launch plans UK industry tour

Astronaut meets volcano

European Space Week starts in Estonia

New Chinese sat comms company awaits approval

SOLAR SCIENCE
Leonardo tapped by British Royal Air Force for radar testing equipment

China maintains reign over world supercomputer rankings

Research highlights ethical sourcing of materials for modern technology

A new way to mix oil and water

SOLAR SCIENCE
Astronomers See Moving Shadows Around Planet-Forming Star

Our Living Planet Shapes the Search for Life Beyond Earth

NASA plans mission to study why planets lose their atmospheres

Closest temperate world orbiting quiet star discovered

SOLAR SCIENCE
Pluto's hydrocarbon haze keeps dwarf planet colder than expected

Jupiter's Stunning Southern Hemisphere

Watching Jupiter's multiple pulsating X-ray Aurora

Help Nickname New Horizons' Next Flyby Target









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.