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.’
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What strategies are scientists exploring to minimize the impact of rocket launches on the ionosphere?
## Interview with Astrophysicist Jeff Baumgardner on SpaceX Rocket’s Impact on Ionosphere
**Host**: Welcome back to the show, Dr. Baumgardner! Thanks for joining us today.
**Dr. Baumgardner**: It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host**: Let’s talk about the recent launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California. There seems to be concern that this launch created a temporary hole in the Earth’s ionosphere. Can you explain what happened?
**Dr. Baumgardner**: That’s right. As rockets ascend through the atmosphere, their engines release enormous amounts of heat. This heat can ionize the gases in the ionosphere, a layer of our atmosphere that’s crucial for radio communications, creating temporary disturbances or even what we might call “holes” in its normal structure. [[1](https://www.independenturdu.com/economy/business/elon-musk-spacex-rocket-space-launch-california-ionosphere-hole)].
**Host**: So, this isn’t a permanent change, then?
**Dr. Baumgardner**: No, these disturbances are typically temporary. The ionosphere is a dynamic region, constantly evolving based on solar activity. It will naturally recover from these disruptions over time.
**Host**: Are these “holes” a cause for concern?
**Dr. Baumgardner**: It’s something we need to monitor. As the number of rocket launches increases globally, so too will these disturbances. While individual events may be minor, the cumulative effect over time could potentially impact radio communication and other technologies that rely on the ionosphere.
**Host**: Is there anything being done to mitigate these effects?
**Dr. Baumgardner**: The scientific community is actively studying these ionospheric disturbances to better understand their impact and potential mitigation strategies. For instance, adjusting launch trajectories or engine parameters might help minimize disruption.
**Host**: Thank you for shedding light on this important issue, Dr. Baumgardner.
