Scientists deepen their understanding of the magnetic fields surrounding the Earth and other planets



[ad_1]

Scientists deepen their understanding of the magnetic fields surrounding the Earth and other planets

Eun-Hwa Kim, physicist of the PPPL. Credit: Elle Starkman / PPPL Communications Office

Extensive rings of electrically charged particles encircle the Earth and other planets. Now, a team of scientists has completed their research on the waves that pass through this electrically charged magnetic environment, called the magnetosphere, deepening understanding of the region and its interaction with our own planet, and opening up new methods for studying physics. other planets around the world. galaxy.

The scientists, led by Eun-Hwa Kim, a physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) of the Department of Energy (DOE), examined a type of wave crossing the magnetosphere. These waves, called cyclotron electromagnetic waves (EMICs), reveal the temperature and density of plasma particles in the magnetosphere, among other qualities.

"The waves are a kind of plasma signal," said Kim, lead author of an article that reported the results of JGR Space Physics. "Therefore, EMIC waves can be used as diagnostic tools to reveal certain characteristics of the plasma."

Kim and researchers from Andrews University in Michigan and Kyung Hee University in South Korea have focused their research on fashion conversion, the way some EMIC waves form. During this process, other waves that compress in the direction of displacement of outer space collide with the Earth 's magnetosphere and trigger EMIC wave formation, which occurs in the outer space. then move away from a particular angle and polarization – the direction in which all light waves vibrate.

Using PPPL computers, scientists performed simulations showing that these mode-conversion EMICs could propagate in the magnetosphere along magnetic field lines at a normal angle of less than 90 degrees, relative to the border of the region with space. Knowing these characteristics allows physicists to identify EMIC waves and gather information about the magnetosphere with limited initial information.

A better understanding of the magnetosphere could provide detailed information on how Earth and other planets interact with their space environment. For example, the waves could allow scientists to determine the density of elements such as helium and oxygen in the magnetosphere, as well as to learn about the charged particle flow. emitted by the sun and producing the aurora borealis.

In addition, engineers use EMIC-like waves to facilitate plasma heating in donut-shaped magnetic fusion devices called tokamaks. The study of wave behavior in the magnetosphere could therefore provide a better understanding of the creation of fusion energy, which occurs when plasma particles collide to form heavier particles. Scientists around the world are seeking to replicate the fusion on Earth to obtain a virtually inexhaustible source of energy to produce electricity.

Knowledge of EMIC waves could therefore offer many advantages. "We are really looking forward to understanding the magnetosphere and how it is mitigating the effects of space weather on our planet," said Kim. "Being able to use EMIC waves for diagnostic purposes would be very helpful."


Take a look at the tornadoes of the plasma space with NASA's observations


More information:
Eun – Hwa Kim et al, Electron inertia effects on linear polarization electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves on the Earth's magnetosphere, Journal of Geophysical Research: Physics of Space (2019). DOI: 10.1029 / 2019JA026532

Provided by
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory


Quote:
Scientists deepen their understanding of the magnetic fields surrounding the Earth and other planets (July 12, 2019)
recovered on July 12, 2019
at https://phys.org/news/2019-07-scientists-deepen-magnetic-fields-earth.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair use for study or private research purposes, no
part may be reproduced without written permission. Content is provided for information only.

[ad_2]

Source link