Mysterious chorus waves discovered far beyond Earth's orbit
These short electromagnetic pulses resemble bird songs; however, they pose a significant threat to the functioning of satellites orbiting our planet. Where do these unique signals come from?
According to ScienceAlert, an international team of astronomers has identified mysterious signals, also known as chorus waves, in an unexpected region of space. These short pulses of electromagnetic radiation, akin to birds' songs, were previously thought to be the result of plasma instabilities involving ionised gas.
Mysterious signals from space
Before this discovery, chorus waves had been recorded in space up to 32,000 miles from our planet, which coincides with the area where Earth's magnetic field is strongest. However, the latest research 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 may be scattered across different parts of space.
The research was based on analysing images from NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, launched in 2015. Scientists observed, for the first time, the process of energy transfer from plasma particles to chorus waves in areas where electrons are sparse. These areas are known as electron holes.
Chorus waves are among the strongest pulses of electromagnetic radiation in space, which makes them crucial for understanding Earth's radiation belts and a potential threat to satellites. These discoveries could help solve the mystery of chorus emissions and contribute to our understanding of energy transport in space.
Other planets, such as Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, also possess chorus waves. This research, published in Nature, may enhance our understanding of space. It provides insights into the formation of magnetic fields around planets.
