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NASA Space Probes Detect Human-Made Bubble Surrounding Earth

Humans have long been shaping Earth's landscape, but now scientists know we can shape our near-space environment as well. A certain type of communications - very low frequency (VLF) radio communications - have been found to interact with particles in space, affecting how and where they move. At times, these interactions can create a barrier around Earth against natural high energy particle radiation in space. "A number of experiments and observations have figured out that, under the right conditions, radio communications signals in the VLF frequency range can in fact affect the properties of the high-energy radiation environment around the Earth," said Phil Erickson, assistant director at the MIT Haystack Observatory. VLF signals are transmitted from ground stations at huge powers to communicate with submarines deep in the ocean. While these waves are intended for communications below the surface, they also extend out beyond our atmosphere, shrouding Earth in a VLF bubble. This bubble was seen by NASA's Van Allen Probes, which study electrons and ions in the near-Earth environment.

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Aerospace RF & Microwave Electronics Test & Measurement

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    Transcript

    00:00:00 music Scientists have discovered a human-made barrier around Earth protecting against the natural particle radiation in space. They believe the bubble was formed by very low frequency waves, or VLFs. VLFs have been found to interact with the particles in space, affecting how and where they move. affecting how and where they move. VLFs are used for radio communications, including with submarines, because they can penetrate deep into the ocean. The waves can also travel far into the environment around Earth.

    00:00:39 By understanding more about how VLF transmissions help shape our space environment, we learn more about this complex region surrounding us. The more we know, the more situational awareness we have to protect our satellites from natural radiation in space. tone beeping beeping