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’s 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
What mitigation strategies are scientists exploring to minimize the impact of rocket launches on the ionosphere?
## A Hole in the Ionosphere?
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Joining us today is Dr. Emily Carter, astrophysicist and expert on the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Dr. Carter, recent news reports have suggested that a recent SpaceX rocket launch may have punched a hole in the Earth’s ionosphere. Can you tell us more about this?
**Dr. Carter:** That’s right. There’s been growing concern among scientists about the impact of increasing rocket launches on the ionosphere. This delicate layer of the atmosphere, located about 80 to 650 kilometers above Earth, plays a crucial role in radio communications and navigation systems.
**Host:** So, what exactly happens when a rocket launches through this layer?
**Dr. Carter:** As rockets ascend, their engines release heat and exhaust that can disrupt the ionosphere’s balance. This can create temporary “holes” or depressions in the density of charged particles within the layer. This phenomenon has been observed before, but with the rapid increase in commercial spaceflight, these disruptions are becoming more frequent [ [1](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02841-4) ].
**Host:**
Is There Any Real Danger?
**Dr. Carter:** While a single launch might not cause lasting damage, the cumulative effect of many launches could potentially have implications for radio communication and satellite navigation.
Furthermore, these holes can allow certain wavelengths of radiation to penetrate deeper into the atmosphere, potentially affecting our understanding of the Earth’s climate system.
**Host:** What can be done to mitigate these effects?
**Dr. Carter:** Research is ongoing to understand the long-term consequences of rocket launches on the ionosphere.
Scientists are exploring potential mitigation strategies, such as adjusting launch trajectories or developing cleaner rocket fuels, to minimize the impact on this vital part of our atmosphere.
**Host:** Thank you for shedding light on this important topic, Dr. Carter. We’ll continue to follow developments in this area.