Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

According to a recent study published in Feb’21 found in the journal Nature Communication.

An earlier observed 600-mile-wide (1,000 kilometers) hurricane of plasma in Earth’s upper atmosphere was called the first such “space hurricane.”

The revelation came to light during a retrospective analysis led by the researchers at the Shandong University in China.

Though invisible to the Human eye but 4 then-orbiting weather DMSP satellites(Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) recorded the event that continued for absolute 8 hours ahead in August 2014 over the Earth’s North Pole.

Alongside this data, 3D magnetosphere modelling was used to produce an image of the storm.

The space hurricane appeared like a funnel with a hurricane’s “eye” at the center, around it were several counterclockwise-spinning spiral arms of plasma (ionising gas giant found all over the solar system, including in Earth’s atmosphere).

“It reached from 110 kilometres to 860 kilometres in altitude… swirling in an anticlockwise direction at speeds up to 2,100 metres per second (6,900 feet per second).

The centre, however, was almost still, just like in hurricanes at lower altitudes,” the report said.

Unlike any other hurricane raining water, this space hurricane had showered electrons directly into Earth’s upper atmosphere, developing a stunning effect: a huge, cyclone-shaped glowing green aurora below the hurricane.

It seem to have developed from a chaotic integration of magnetic field lines and swift solar winds blowing across.

Therefore researchers have pointed out: 

Any planet with appropriate plasma and an inherent magnetic field could spur these ‘violent’ space storms.

According to Co-author: “Plasma and magnetic fields in the atmosphere of planets exist throughout the universe, so the findings suggest space hurricanes should be a widespread phenomena.”

This evidence is important as there has been no record ever to predict if space plasma hurricanes even existed.

“Tropical storms are associated with huge amounts of energy, and these space hurricanes must be created by unusually large and rapid transfer of solar wind energy and charged particles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere”, says Co-author of the study.

Can this be a disaster for us?

Not yet proven.

As this is an upper atmospheric phenomenon, it’s threatening implications on our planet and people is barely nothing directly.

However indirectly it can affect(strengthen or weaken) existing and pervasive processes up there like the Jet streams.

Also these events(like solar flares) are capable of triggering improper functioning in our resources in its ambit like disrupt GPS or disturb/delay communication and signalling etc.

Hurricanes on other planets?

They have been detected on Mars, Saturn and Jupiter earlier, similar to the low-pressure hurricanes on Earth.

Even solar gases swirling in within the sun’s atmosphere are known as Solar Tornadoes.

This study has been greatly welcomed as space hurricanes had not been reported earlier in the upper atmosphere of the planets in the Sun’s heliosphere.

Humans have learnt to master the understanding and monitoring of hurricanes etc on Earth. With the new kind of space Hurricanes in being, we can take our curious expertise to space and beyond.

By Alaina Ali Beg

I am a lover of all arts and therefore can dream myself in all places where the World takes me. I am an avid animal lover and firmly believes that Nature is the true sorcerer.