Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

How did a third radiation belt appear in the Earth's upper atmosphere?

Researchers at UCLA have discovered a previously unknown third radiation ring, which briefly appeared between the inner and outer Van Allen belts in September 2012. The new study provides insight into the formation and decay of this temporary radiation belt, revealing its distinctively slow decay rate.

NASA's Van Allen Probes discover a surprise circling Earth

The Van Allen Probes have discovered a surprise third radiation belt extending out into space, offering scientists new insights into the region. The discovery provides a unique opportunity for researchers to study the dynamics of the belts and shed light on the complex interactions between solar energy and magnetic waves.

Third radiation belt discovered with UNH-led instrument suite

The Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission, led by the University of New Hampshire, has discovered a transient third radiation belt formed in the wake of a powerful solar event. The new belt was detected using the Relativistic Electron-Proton Telescope and is located at an inner edge of the outer electron belt.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Tiny CREPT instrument to study the radiation belts

CREPT will measure energetic electrons and protons in Van Allen Belts, gaining a better understanding of electron microbursts. The instrument demonstrates two new technologies that make it four times faster than its predecessor.

20 NASA balloons studying the radiation belts

The BARREL mission uses balloons to collect data on radiation belt particles, complementing NASA's Van Allen Probes. The team tracks particle movement and behavior, aiming to understand where radiation escapes the belts.

UI instruments aboard twin NASA spacecraft set for launch Aug. 24

The Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission will help scientists understand how the Van Allen radiation belts react to solar changes, contributing to Earth's space weather. The twin satellites will collect data on particles, magnetic and electric fields, and waves to reveal how the belts change in space and over time.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

NASA Radiation Belt Storm Probes to launch, UNH components aboard

The mission will investigate the region for a minimum of two years, making precise measurements of high-energy particles and magnetic fields. The goal is to provide understanding and predictability of space weather conditions, which can influence technological systems and human life.

The electric atmosphere: Plasma is next NASA science target

The RBSP mission seeks to characterize the Van Allen Radiation Belts, which contain 99% of the universe's electrified gas. The study will address questions about particle origins, mechanisms giving them extreme speed and energy, and their effects on Earth's magnetosphere.

Building 45 payloads for balloon mission

BARREL aims to measure X-rays produced by charged particles entering Earth's atmosphere, helping scientists understand risks to spacecraft and humans in space. The 45 payloads will be launched on balloons around Antarctica as part of a NASA mission, combining with RBSP measurements for more accurate data.

UCLA astronomers solve mystery of vanishing electrons

Researchers used data from orbiting spacecraft to discover that energetic electrons are swept away by solar wind particles during periods of heightened solar activity. The findings aim to improve predictions of geomagnetic storms and protect satellites and astronauts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

AGU journal highlights -- Dec. 3, 2010

Recent AGU research highlights increased flood fatalities in Africa due to population trends, not climate change, as well as lake warming caused by climate change. The study also found that the ozone hole affects upper-atmosphere temperature and circulation, while solar wind contains more oxygen than previously thought.

NASA's THEMIS: 'singing' electrons help create and destroy 'killer' electrons

Scientists using NASA's THEMIS spacecraft have discovered the connection between 'singing' chorus waves and the generation of hiss, which helps clear killer electrons from Earth's radiation belts. The new research confirms that chorus waves can be refracted into the inner portion of the radiation belts by dense plasma near Earth.

NASA awards $9.3M to Dartmouth researcher for radiation study using balloons

Dartmouth College researcher Robyn Millan will lead a NASA project launching over 40 high-altitude balloons from Antarctica to study the Earth's Van Allen Belts. The balloons will carry instrumentation to better understand how the belts release radiation into near-Earth space, which can be hazardous to astronauts and satellites.

Boston University awarded $42.5 million from NASA to study space radiation

The Radiation Belt Storm Probes – Energetic Particle, Composition, and Thermal Plasma (RBSP-ECT) project will measure the behavior of charged particles causing space radiation. The study aims to achieve a better understanding of the physical processes controlling the shape and intensity of Earth's radiation belts.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

US satellite protection scheme could affect global communications

A proposed US system to protect satellites from solar storms could disrupt high frequency radio wave transmissions and GPS navigation globally. The 'radiation belt remediation' system may lead to intense HF blackouts around the world, isolating remote communities for up to seven days.

Scientific breakthrough will help protect astronauts and spacecraft

A team of British, US, and French scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the behavior of high-energy particles in the Van Allen radiation belts. They found that low-frequency radio waves cause particle acceleration and intensify the belts, contradicting long-held theory.

Earth's safe zone became hot during legendary solar storms

The Van Allen Radiation Belt Slot, considered a safe zone, filled with concentrated radiation during the October and November 2003 solar storms. The radiation surge was the most intense ever observed in this region, posing significant risks to spacecraft.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Technology could use moon dust to capture sun power

Researchers at the University of Houston are developing methods to manufacture huge solar cell arrays on the moon using materials from lunar soil. The goal is to generate enough electricity to supply a lunar base or colonies, as well as beam electricity back to Earth for use in local grids.

Radiation Belts Around Earth Adversly Affecting Satellites

New research reveals the Van Allen radiation belts are powerful particle accelerators generating 'killer electrons' that can severely impair satellites. The accelerated electrons have a dramatic effect on human technological systems, including satellite failures and pager service disruptions.

Roederer Celebrates A 20-Year Space Odyssey

Expert researcher Juan Roederer is set to begin his long-awaited study of the radiation belts circling Jupiter after 20 years with the Galileo spacecraft. The research aims to understand how Io, one of Jupiter's moons, affects the planet's radiation belts and compare them to Earth's Van Allen belts.