• UGI USER
  • Nov 21, 2023
  • 17 Likes
  • 0 Comments

ENERGY BURST ALTERS EARTH’S IONOSPHERE

Why in the News ?

  • Around two billion years ago, a distant galaxy witnessed a colossal supernova explosion, resulting in a powerful burst of gamma rays – the most energetic waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Last year, these waves reached Earth, causing a noteworthy disturbance in the planet’s ionosphere.
Source: Socratic
Ionosphere

·  The ionosphere is a region of Earth’s upper atmosphere, located 50-950 km above the surface.

·  Comprising electrically charged gases called plasma.

·  It forms a crucial boundary between the vacuum of space and the lower atmosphere.

Gamma-Ray Impact:

  • Origin and Arrival: The gamma rays, emanating from the supernova burst, finally reached Earth on October 9, 2022.
  • Detection: European Space Agency’s (ESA) Integral space observatory and satellites near Earth detected the gamma-ray burst, marking it as the most potent observed burst to date.

Ionosphere Response:

  • Duration of Impact: The gamma rays influenced Earth’s ionosphere for approximately 13 minutes.
  • Electric Field Variation: Impacting the ionosphere’s electric field, the burst was akin to effects seen during solar flare events, causing a strong disturbance.

Earth’s Ionosphere:

  • Position and Role: Situated 50-950 km above the Earth’s surface, the ionosphere acts as a boundary between the vacuum of space and Earth’s lower atmosphere.
  • Influence on Earth: Changes in the ionosphere’s magnetic and electrical conditions, as observed during this event, have implications for space weather on Earth.

Global Effects and Lightning Detection:

  • Global Reach: The gamma-ray burst’s impact was global, detected even by lightning detectors in India.
  • Extended Disturbance: The ionosphere remained disturbed for several hours due to the gamma-ray influence.

Potential Implications:

  • Solar Flare Comparison: While resembling the effects of a solar flare event, the distant gamma-ray burst showcased the Earth’s susceptibility to faraway cosmic events.
  • Surface Impact: Although this specific burst did not pose harm, it raised concerns about potential hazards if a similar event occurred closer within the Milky Way, emphasizing the ionosphere’s role in protecting life from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

While distant cosmic events like gamma-ray bursts are not uncommon, their influence on Earth’s ionosphere provides valuable insights into space-weather interactions.