Location, location
Scientists fired a rocket from Svalbad, Norway, and measured the Earth’s polar electric field for the first time. Weak fields could control the shape and evolution of the upper atmosphere, potentially contributing to the habitability of the Earth, astronomical writer Lisa Grossman reported that “finally scientists will detect the Earth’s hidden electric field.”
Reader Jayant Bhalerao, a university physics instructor, discovered that this story could be useful in the class.
Valerao also wondered why scientists chose Svalbad as the launchpad for their rockets. “Is there probably a scientific reason, or is it just infrastructure?”
To measure both pole electric fields, the rockets needed “to measure the escape of Earth’s atmosphere at the poles where some of the planet’s magnetic field lines are open,” says Grossman.
“The Earth’s magnetic field is kind of like a bar magnet, with the field lines running in large closed loops from the Arctic to the Antarctic. In these loops, charged particles are stored close to the Earth,” says Grossman. However, at the pole, several field lines pop out into space, allowing charged particles to escape. “The only launchpad north enough to reach that open magnetic area is the area of Svalbad,” she says.
Merger measurement
Scientists are increasingly optimistic about the possibility of detecting primitive black holes. If they exist, these ancient black holes born shortly after the Big Bang might shed light on the mystery of dark matter, freelance writer Elizabeth Quile reported in “Black Hold Dawn.”
Cosmologists hope to find signs of primitive black holes by studying black holes mergers, particularly those with strange features such as unexpected masses and spins.
Reader Michael Cross asked how scientists determine the properties of these black holes.
Scientists can observe the merger of black holes through gravitational waves. This provides all sorts of information about the collision body, says senior physicist Emily Conover. When the black holes spiral inward and join together, scientists can “detect the wave patterns, the strength of the waves, and how often they vibrate. They also see how those patterns compare between multiple detectors,” says Conover. Black holes with different masses or spins “give different patterns of waves.”
The tip of the hat
Reader Philip Kolb shared a note of thanks for the January issue.
“Your new expansion and shiny magazine are dazzling. Beautiful… and there’s more detailed reports. The AI in Medicine article is comprehensive, while the Human Navigation article uses GPS to see what is proven and sees the role of guano in creating an attractive American empire,” writes Korb. “Science News He is a valuable contributor to American life. ”
Korb’s wife, Sandra Wolf, MD, has begun reading Science News I’m back in the days of newsletters as a child. Wolf has been a subscription for decades and shares it with KORB when he gets married.
