The space environment that fence in our major planet is fascinating and incredibly mysterious . institutionalise particles coming from the Sun and the residuum of the universe dig into our magnetized line of business , make many different effects . Among this , there lies the undefendable question of how electrons are accelerated by the magnetosphere to almost the speed of light .
Researchers using NASA’sTHEMIS(Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms ) satellites have discovered that cosmic negatron are speed up by electromagnetic interactions in the foreshock , a region just beyond Earth ’s magnetic field .
This breakthrough , published inPhysical Review Letters , provides the first hint towards an understanding of these high - energy electrons . Before THEMIS ’ observations , these negatron were believe to be quicken much closer to our planet , so scientists were seek to figure out out what ’s go on .
“ This is a puzzling case because we ’re date energetic electrons where we do n’t think they should be , and no exemplar fits them , ” say David Sibeck , co - author and THEMIS undertaking scientist at NASA ’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt , Maryland , in astatement .
“ There is a gap in our knowledge , something basic is missing . ”
This missing knowledge is crucial not only for planetary physics but also for many other discipline . These gamy - energy electrons have been observed around other planet too , and they might affect artificial satellite and equipment . The gamy - focal ratio particles might become grave as we step beyond the safe bubble of our satellite and into inscrutable space .
“ This affect reasonably much every field that deals with high-pitched - push particles , from report of cosmic rays to solar flares and coronal mass riddance , which have the potential to damage satellites and affect astronauts on excursion to Mars , ” enunciate Lynn Wilson , contribute author of the report from NASA Goddard .
There has been 50 decennium deserving of reflexion of high - energy particles within the foreshock region , although the notice were not quick enough to chance upon that they rise from the realm itself . Researchers will proceed to monitor the foreshock with THEMIS and , hopefully , they will find out what ’s the cause behind the electrons ' telling speeds .
