The invisible and weak ambipolar field that envelops the Earth has finally been discovered and measured. This electric field, predicted over 60 years ago, will change our understanding of planetary evolution and behavior.
Astronomer Glyn Collinson of NASA notes that any planet with an atmosphere has an ambipolar field. By measuring it, it was possible to investigate how this field affected the Earth and other planets.
The Earth is surrounded by various fields, including gravitational and magnetic fields. Gravity holds the atmosphere together and the magnetic field protects it from the solar wind. In 1968, scientists discovered that a supersonic wind of particles was emerging from the Earth’s atmosphere above the poles. This phenomenon was attributed to the electric ambipolar field, which, counteracting gravity, ejects particles into space.
Previously, it had not been possible to measure this field due to a lack of technology. In an effort to change this, Collinson and his team developed the Endurance launch vehicle. During an experiment conducted in May 2022, a 0.55 volt change in electrical potential was detected. Although this is very small, it is enough to explain the polar wind. Such a charge allows hydrogen ions to rise into space at supersonic speeds.
Oxygen ions also rise, increasing ionospheric density at high altitudes by 271%. This discovery is only the first step in the study of the ambipolar field. Further research will help us understand its influence on the formation of the atmosphere, the evolution of the Earth, and possibly life on its surface.
Collinson concludes that the ambipolar field is an important element of Earth’s functioning, and measuring it opens the way for new questions and research.
Earlier we reported on how scientists found the oldest traces of the Earth’s magnetic field.
According to sciencealert.com
