Earth's Atmosphere is Leaking

[GordMay]

Earth's atmosphere is leaking.
Every day, around 90 tonnes of material, mostly light hydrogen ions, escapes from our planet's upper atmosphere, and streams out into space.[1]

Since the late 1960s, satellites, over the poles, detected an extremely fast flow of particles escaping into space; at speeds of 20 kilometers per second. Scientists suspected that gravity, and the magnetic field, alone, could not fully explain the stream.
There had to be another source creating this leak.

It turns out the mysterious force is a, previously undiscovered, global electric field, a recent study [2] found. The field is only about the strength of a watch battery; but, it’s enough to thrust lighter ions from our atmosphere into space. It’s also generated unlike other electric fields on Earth.

More about:
NASA Discovers a Long-Sought Global Electric Field on Earth
➥ https://science.nasa.gov/science-res...ield-on-earth/

Originally Posted by NASA

“A rocket team reports the first successful detection of Earth’s ambipolar electric field: a weak, planet-wide electric field as fundamental as Earth’s gravity and magnetic fields.
First hypothesized more than 60 years ago, the ambipolar electric field is a key driver of the “polar wind,” a steady outflow of charged particles into space that occurs above Earth’s poles.
This electric field lifts charged particles in our upper atmosphere to greater heights than they would otherwise reach and may have shaped our planet’s evolution in ways yet to be explore d..."

[1] “The curious case of Earth's leaking atmosphere” ~ European Space Agency [ESA]
➥ https://sci.esa.int/web/cluster/-/58...ing-atmosphere

[2] “Earth’s ambipolar electrostatic field and its role in ion escape to space” ~ by Glyn A. Collinson et al
➥ https://www.nature.com/articles/s415...gQiM7aC8d4E%3D

[Captain-Hook]

Ha. Interesting fiction my friend. Never ending. "Be afraid, be very afraid!"

[CaptTom]

Fiction? Results from the ESA and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Studying small but interesting facts about our planet. With no political connotation. It doesn't get more non-fiction than that.

The only thing I'm afraid of is those who are trying to stoke fear and hatred in others in order to dismiss scientific research.

[barnakiel]

We can say thanks to all users of Starlink !!!


b.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Captain-Hook

Ha. Interesting fiction my friend. Never ending. "Be afraid, be very afraid!"

No fear, and not at all the intention. The atmosphere has been leaking since the planet was formed. You learned that in elementary school. Just interesting stuff from Gordo.

[jhall767]

I think it's Dark Helmet and Mega Maid.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by thinwater

No fear, and not at all the intention. The atmosphere has been leaking since the planet was formed. You learned that in elementary school. Just interesting stuff from Gordo.

Yup. Nothing new, although I infer this specific “leak” is newly understood. Interesting indeed.

[LakeSuperior]

Helium is also a leaker. The planetary sum total, created in the core of some long dead star gone supernova, is slowly diminishing over time.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

Helium is also a leaker. The planetary sum total, created in the core of some long dead star gone supernova, is slowly diminishing over time.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7Om3BI...BwcmFuaw%3D%3D

[Bowdrie]

I like how the NASA report said that a "Rocket team" had been involved, it's about time they did something worthwhile, right?
At 90 tons per day how long before we all need to panic?
If I have my gravel driveway paved will the weight change the earths balance?
So many unanswered questions to keep us up at night.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

...
At 90 tons per day how long before we all need to panic? ...

Originally Posted by ESA

“... Given the expanse of our atmosphere, 90 tonnes per day amounts to a small leak. Earth's atmosphere weighs in at around five quadrillion (5 × 1015) tonnes, so we are in no danger of running out any time soon. ...”

“The curious case of Earth's leaking atmosphere” ~ by European Space Agency [ESA]
➥ https://sci.esa.int/web/cluster/-/58...ing-atmosphere

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by thinwater

...You learned that in elementary school...

Who ever let elementary-school science stand in the way of a good conspiracy theory?

[massnspace]

This thread has as much to do about cruising as an iron pan has to do with a giraffe.

[davil]

more work for the moderators.

hope they keep the thread open and weed out the offensive postings to keep it civil

I appreciate Gordon's effort and sharing his own curiosity.

Related to sailing?

Always the choice to ignore the subject and move on.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by massnspace

This thread has as much to do about cruising as an iron pan has to do with a giraffe.

You've never had giraffe steaks then I presume..!!!