NASA Discovers Earth’s ‘Planetary Feild’ That Is ‘As Important As Gravity’

In our modern world, it is easy to assume that there is not much left to learn about science and our planet. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, scientists are still making major scientific breakthroughs every year. For example, a new electric field that covers the entire planet has recently been discovered. Considering that this newly discovered field is as fundamental to our planet as gravity, this is no small breakthrough. Let’s find out more about this fascinating and important discovery below!

The Ambipolar Electric Field

Known as the ambipolar electric field, it starts 150 miles above Earth and is responsible for the polar winds. These polar winds then mix with air currents called jet streams. Upon interacting, they help drive most of the weather we experience around the world. Up until very recently, this electric field had remained a theory. However, this all changed when NASA and a group of scientists from the University of Leicester decided to send a rocket into the field and measure it for the very first time. [1] 

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What Does the Discovery of the Electric Field Mean?

What this study has revealed is that there are actually three energy fields around this planet: gravity, the magnetic field, and the ambipolar electric field. While many scientists had felt this field was there, they had no way to be sure until now. For instance, whenever one of their spacecraft flew over the poles, they encountered these supersonic polar winds. They believed that there must be some sort of great invisible force that was behind this outflow, but the technology didn’t yet exist to measure it. [2]

The Importance of the Ambipolar Electric Field

This breakthrough is considered very significant as it has provided massive insights into how our planet works. It’s a vial force that has existed alongside magnetism and gravity since the very beginning. So, if it is so fundamental to the workings of the planet, why did it take so long for scientists to detect it? The thing is, this electric field is very weak, measuring only 0.55 volts, making it very hard to pick up. However, it still has enough force to treble the ionosphere’s scale. The field acts like a conveyor belt, countering gravity and lifting the atmosphere into space. The force it exerts is just enough to account for the polar wind. This is quite something, considering that half a volt is the equivalent strength of a watch battery. [3]

How This Information Benefits Our Understanding of the Earth

Not only does an understanding of the atmosphere help us learn more about our planet, but it also gives us greater insight into other planets. With this information, scientists are able to recognize which planets could be habitable, as they believe that any planet with an atmosphere will likely have an ambipolar electric field as well. The fact that Earth can sustain life is very unique, and one of the reasons for this could be due to the energy fields generated by our planet. One of those fields is gravity which holds the atmosphere up, providing the necessary conditions for life. The other is the magnetic field, needed for shielding Earth from harmful streams of particles emanating from the sun. With the addition of this third field, our understanding of Earth’s mechanisms has expanded even further. 

The Mission to the Ambipolar Electric Field

The scientists traveled to Ny-Alesund in Svalbard, Norway, to launch the rocket into the electric field. They chose this location as it is the most northerly launch pad in the world, situated only a few hundred miles from the North Pole. This is the only rocket range on the entire planet where one can travel to the polar wind and take the necessary measurements. The mission started in 2016 and was named Endurance. They chose this name as it was the name of the vessel Ernest Shackleton was on when he traveled to Antarctica in 1914. 

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The Findings of the Endurance Mission

The scientists published their findings on the electric field in the Nature journal. They discovered that the most abundant kind of particle in the polar wind, hydrogen ions, experiences an outward force from the field. This force is said to be 10.6 times stronger than the force exerted by gravity. That’s not only enough force to counter gravity, but enough to launch them at supersonic speeds into space. 

The Bottom Line on the Ambipolar Electric Field

As we have learned, our understanding of the world around us is continuously growing and expanding. For example, the discovery of the ambipolar electric field marks a groundbreaking shift in our understanding of the atmospheric forces at play on our planet. Alongside gravity and magnetism, this newly measured field plays a vital role in driving our planet’s environment. This breakthrough discovery not only deepens our knowledge of our own planet but also opens new doors to understanding the atmospheres of other planets.

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