A new analysis has shown concern that Elon Musk Space Company Space X Launched from California last week by The rocket A hole has probably been created in the Earth’s ionosphere.
The Falcon 9 rocket, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on July 19, likely punched a hole in the ionosphere, the review said.
The ionosphere, or sphere, is a layer around the fluid Earth that contains the fourth type of plasma of matter, where a sea of electrically charged particles floats at an altitude of about 80 to 650 kilometers.
While reviewing the footage of the rocket launch, Jeff Baumgardner, an astrophysicist at Boston University in the United States, said, “It is quite possible that the launch created a hole in the ionosphere.”
He told US website spaceweather.com: ‘This is a well-studied phenomenon when rockets are releasing heat from their engines 200 to 300 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.’
Previous research has shown that with the increasing number of rocket launches around the world, holes in the ionosphere are becoming more common, making it possible to transmit radio communications to Earth.
The ionosphere is also dynamic and expands and contracts based on solar conditions. It is classified into sub-regions known as D, E and F. This classification is based on a layer’s ability to absorb wavelengths of solar radiation.
Studies show that flares from rockets and their engines can change the process by which charged particles form in this layer around Earth.
Rocket motions can also create large disturbances in the ionosphere that travel faster than the speed of sound and create shock waves in the layers.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was also launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 27, 2023 (AFP)
Research shows that as fast-moving rockets move toward the edge of space, they release water and carbon dioxide that can reduce the ionization process by two-thirds.
They particularly affect the F layer of the ionosphere, the subregions of which have the highest electron density.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
Holes in the ionosphere caused by rockets are identified by their red color because the oxygen ions in this layer react with electrons from the rocket emission.
Experts said it produces light at the same wavelength as the red aurora.
Previous rockets launched by SpaceX also created holes in the ionosphere.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched in August 2017 produced massive circular shock acoustic waves in the ionosphere about five minutes after carrying Taiwan’s Formosat 5 satellite.
As a rocket carrying a payload launches directly above the ionosphere, it creates a circular shock wave on the crust.
A study of the phenomenon, published in the journal Space Weather, found that a large hole formed in the ionosphere about 10 minutes into the flight.
The scientists wrote in the study: ‘The rocket plume later produced an ionospheric plasma hole of mass 900 km in diameter with a TET reduction of 10 to 70 percent compared to reference days.’
#hole #Earths #ionosphere #feared #SpaceX #rocket
## Is SpaceX punching holes in the sky?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing a fascinating development regarding Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Recent analysis suggests that a recent Falcon 9 launch may have created a temporary hole in the Earth’s ionosphere. With us today is Dr. Emily Carter, an astrophysicist specializing in the upper atmosphere. Dr. Carter, thanks for joining us.
**Dr. Carter:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** So, can you explain what the ionosphere is and why this potential hole is concerning?
**Dr. Carter:** Sure. The ionosphere is a crucial layer of our atmosphere, about 80 to 650 kilometers above Earth. It’s filled with electrically charged particles, influencing radio wave propagation and playing a vital role in GPS and satellite communications.
Imagine punching a hole in this complex layer. It could disrupt communication signals, leading to potential outages or interference.
**Host:** Now, SpaceX has launched numerous rockets successfully. Why are we only now talking about this?
**Dr. Carter:** This phenomenon, while concerning, isn’t entirely new. Rocket launches, especially those involving powerful engines like the Falcon 9’s, have been known to disturb the ionosphere. [[1](https://www.newsweek.com/spacex-rocket-launch-hole-ionosphere-1814503)]
However, with the increasing frequency of rocket launches from various companies, including SpaceX, these disturbances might become more frequent and potentially more pronounced.
**Host:** So, what’s being done to mitigate this potential risk?
**Dr. Carter:** Scientists are actively studying these effects to better understand and predict how rocket launches impact the ionosphere.
This knowledge could lead to strategies for minimizing these disturbances, like adjusting launch trajectories or engine burn durations.
Furthermore, international collaboration is crucial for coordinating launches and mitigating cumulative impacts on the ionosphere.
**Host:** Thank you for shedding light on this complex issue, Dr. Carter.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to monitor it closely.