In our modern world, it may seem like we know everything there is to know about science and our planet. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Scientists are constantly making major breakthroughs, such as the recent discovery of a new electric field that engulfs the entire planet. Known as the ambipolar electric field, this field starts 150 miles above Earth and is responsible for the polar winds that mix with jet streams to drive global weather patterns.
This groundbreaking discovery sheds light on the three energy fields surrounding our planet: gravity, the magnetic field, and now the ambipolar electric field. Despite its subtle nature, this field has a crucial role in lifting the atmosphere into space and sustaining the polar wind. The detection of this field not only deepens our understanding of Earth but also provides insights into the habitability of other planets.
To measure this field for the first time, NASA and scientists from the University of Leicester embarked on the Endurance mission in 2016 in Ny-Alesund, Norway. The findings from this mission, published in the Nature journal, revealed the outward force exerted on hydrogen ions in the polar wind, surpassing gravity by 10.6 times.
The discovery of the ambipolar electric field signifies a significant advancement in our understanding of atmospheric forces on Earth. It not only broadens our knowledge of our own planet but also offers valuable insights into the atmospheres of other celestial bodies.
