Articles tagged with Thermosphere
Researchers at Kyoto University use public Starlink satellite data to estimate thermospheric density around 1,200 satellites. The resulting two-dimensional snapshot provides the first tomographic analysis of its kind, demonstrating high consistency with European Space Agency observations.
A new study reveals that sporadic E layers were significantly enhanced during the recovery phase of the 2024 Mother's Day super geomagnetic storm. The phenomenon, which appears as thin and dense patches of ionized metals, was detected mainly over Southeast Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, and the East Pacific.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham warn that increasing CO2 levels could lead to a decrease in 'space sustainability' due to changes in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The research suggests that as the atmosphere cools, it contracts, reducing satellite density and potentially increasing the risk of collisions.
A study by MIT researchers found that climate change can cause the thermosphere to shrink, reducing atmospheric drag and allowing space junk to remain in orbit for decades. This could lead to increased collisions and debris, threatening the sustainability of satellite operations.
A team of researchers found that air turbulence in the thermosphere exhibits the same physical laws as wind in the lower atmosphere, leading to a new unified principle for Earth's environmental systems. This discovery can potentially improve future forecasting of both Earth and space weather.
The new lidar will measure temperature and neutrally charged iron in the upper atmosphere, supporting experiments at HAARP. It is expected to be operational later this year and will provide complementary measurements to existing lidars.
Researchers detected significant thermospheric fluctuations with multiple wave modes after the Tonga eruption, affecting global neutral density up to 500 km altitude. The study suggests that gravitational waves, Lamb waves, and tsunami waves may transmit energy upward, influencing thermospheric density.
A physics professor at the University of Texas at Arlington will lead an instrument on NASA's GDC mission to measure electron density and temperature in the ionosphere. The goal is to understand space weather and its effects on human activity, including disruptions to satellite operations and communication signals.
NCAR's new WindCube mini-satellite will measure the intense heating of the Sun at high altitudes, improving models of the upper atmosphere. The satellite's data will help scientists better predict impacts on communication systems and satellites due to disruptions in Earth's upper atmosphere.
Research by University of Alaska Fairbanks student Rajan Itani upends previous knowledge about the cross-polar jet, a well-known wind in the upper atmosphere that sometimes stalls or is deflected over Alaska. The finding has significant implications for spacecraft orbits and space debris avoidance.
The petitSat mission aims to study the link between plasma enhancements and Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) in Earth's ionosphere. The satellite will measure plasma densities and ion distributions using two instruments, providing valuable insights into the transmission of GPS and radar signals.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered hot atomic hydrogen atoms in the thermosphere, a layer of the atmosphere above 250 kilometers. This finding contradicts previous assumptions and has significant implications for understanding atmospheric escape and the behavior of satellites in low Earth orbit.
Scientists analyzed gravitational effects of the Moon on thermosphere to predict satellite collisions. Incorporating these results in atmospheric models can refine accuracy and keep satellites separate from space junk.
The CU-Boulder student-built DANDE satellite will investigate atmospheric density variations in the thermosphere, affecting satellite orbits and drag forces. Launched on Sept. 15, it will gather data for about one and a half years to improve models of the atmosphere.
The NRL-developed MIGHTI instrument will measure neutral winds and temperatures in the Earth's low-latitude thermosphere. The ICON mission aims to understand space weather events' impact on the ionosphere.
The NRL-developed MIGHTI satellite instrument is part of the ICON mission to study the Earth's ionosphere and its impact on communications. The ICON mission aims to understand the extreme variability in the ionosphere, which can interfere with signals.
Solar activity impacts UARS satellite re-entry due to changes in thermosphere density caused by sunspots and solar flares. The satellite's predicted re-entry time is uncertain due to the dynamic environment, with ongoing solar events potentially affecting its trajectory.
The NASA Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission has been extended for the fourth time to study the upper atmosphere. The mission will focus on differentiating between human-induced and naturally occurring changes in this atmospheric region, allowing scientists to understand long-term trends.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters found a link between the sun's ultraviolet radiation levels and a temporary shrinking of Earth's outer atmosphere. The research suggests that the sun's magnetic cycle may vary more than previously thought, leading to dramatic fluctuations in atmospheric density.
New Cornell University research links 1908 Tunguska explosion to comet entry, supported by NASA space shuttle exhaust plume. The study reveals a possible connection between the two events through noctilucent clouds, which are the Earth's highest clouds forming at high altitudes and in extremely cold temperatures.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study reveals that periodic 'breathing' of the Earth's upper atmosphere is triggered by cyclic solar wind disturbances, which can alter satellite drag and cause communication disruptions. The findings should improve models for tracking satellites and predicting electronic communication issues.
A team of scientists found that climate change is causing a 3% reduction in the density of the Earth's outermost atmosphere, or thermosphere, by 2017. The decrease will reduce drag on satellites, allowing them to stay airborne longer and potentially saving millions of dollars in fuel costs.
A NASA-led NRL study found that space shuttle exhaust can form Antarctic polar mesospheric clouds, contributing to a remarkable 10-20% of clouds observed during one summer season. The discovery challenges the interpretation of PMC trends in terms of global climate change.
Scientists found that space shuttle exhaust can transport water vapor to the Arctic mesosphere, forming noctilucent clouds. The study used data from a launch vehicle instrument and confirmed the plume trajectory with ground-based observations.