MYSTERIOUS PHYSICS AT WORK IN EARTH'S NEWLY DISCOVERED THIRD RADIATION RING

Earlier this year, NASA scientists discovered a “previously unknown surprise circling Earth” — an ephemeral third ring of radiation surrounding our planet.

 

Now, some eight months later, UCLA scientists say they know what’s going on — and it’s unlike anything physicists have ever seen before.

 

According to the new research, which was headed by UCLA’s Yuri Shprits, the third radiation zone exists at what the scientists are calling “ultrarelativistic energies,” while consisting of an additional medium narrow belt that lasts for about a month.

 

This middle band is comprised of extremely energetic particles known as ultrarelativistic electrons — electrons so energetic that they move close to the speed of light.

 

The region the belts occupy range from about 620 to 32,000 miles (1,000 to 50,000 km) above the Earth.

 

Disturbingly, ultrarelativistic electrons pose a severe danger to satellites and spacecraft.

 

Because they pack so much motion (again, we’re talking about electrons that are moving at close to the speed of light), they pack a hell of a lof of energy — energy that could disrupt or even destroy critical satellites. It could even disrupt the proposed space elevator.

 

Research like this could eventually lead to measures to protect both space equipment and astronauts.

 

Read more - http://io9.com/earth-s-mysterious-third-radiation-ring-driven-by-diff-1376815218

*******************************************************************************