Electric Field Breakthrough: NASA's Latest Discovery on Earth's Ambipolar Field

NASA recently make a groundbreaking discovery about Earth 's ambipolar electric field , which has been speculate for decade . The field was first predict in the sixties , with early spacecraft detection a rapid escape of charge atom from Earth 's atmosphere , know as the polar wind , over the pole . This rapid wind is believe to be drive by an electric field in the atmosphere , make when sunlight knock electron out of atom , causing a balance between electron and ion to keep electrical neutrality . The new measurement of this field , report by scientist Collinson in Nature , was previously idea impossible to detect due to its weak nature.

In May 2022 , NASA 's rocket Endurance successfully measure a change in electric potential that perfectly explain the polar wind phenomenon . This determination open up new possibility for understanding how Earth 's atmosphere and ocean have been influence by the ambipolar electric field over the planet 's 4.6 - billion - year history . Furthermore , the electric field is crucial in control the escape of a planet 's atmosphere into space , potentially impact its habitability for life.

The 0.55 - volt electric charge of Earth 's ambipolar electric field is instrumental in drive atom at supersonic speed , widen the atmosphere 's height at the pole and let ion to escape into space . scientist comparison this field 's significance to Earth 's gravitational and magnetic Fields , note its function in shaping the planet 's atmosphere and ionosphere . The field , present since Earth 's formation , has likely play a critical function in keep the habitable conditions on Earth compare to other planet like Mars and Venus , which rich_person similar electric Fields but different outcomes.

The detection of the ambipolar electric field is just the beginning of unravel its mystery and understanding its hanker - term effects on Earth and other planet . This fundamental discovery shed light on how Earth 's atmosphere has been raise into space over time , sitting new question about the planet 's formation and development . As NASA research_worker continue to research the deduction of this field , they purpose to uncover its impact on Earth 's past , present , and future , as well as its function in shaping the dynamics of other planet in the solar system and beyond.