NASA has discovered this unknown phenomenon and the discovery surprises the world.
POT announced that its Advanced Atmospheric Wave Instrument (AWE), installed in International Space Station (ISS) has detected a series of gravitational waves extending 55 miles above the Earth’s surface, it announced on its portal.
The phenomenon represents a new window into understanding how extreme weather events affect the highest layers of our atmosphere.
NASA has detected changes in the atmosphere
Last September Hurricane Helen not only left its mark with torrential rains and destructive winds along the coast Florida, but also provided the scientific community with an exciting discovery.
AWE, a high-precision device mounted on ISS, picked up these waves in the mesosphere, the third layer of the atmosphere, located at an altitude of 50 to 88 kilometers above the Earth. By recording the activity of these waves, scientists were able to observe how Helen created a series of “ripples” in the atmosphere rising west from the coast.
To illustrate the strength and dispersion of these waves, POT shared images on his website in which they are colored red, yellow and blue, giving a strong visual representation of the phenomenon.
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This state-of-the-art equipment was installed outside the ISS in 2023 and is designed for space analysis.atmospheric glow”, faint light emitted by gases at high altitudes. With AWE, scientists can study the complex interactions between weather systems and space.
AWE’s ability to observe these atmospheric waves globally is critical because it allows us to analyze their impact on space weather, an area of research that could be key to the future of satellite communications and space technology.
Why are these gravitational waves important?
Atmospheric gravity waves have a significant impact on space technology, as they affect the air density in the upper atmosphere. atmosphere. Michael Taylor, a physicist and one of the project leaders, notes that these small-scale waves, now visible thanks to AWE, are fundamental to understanding how Earth’s climate affects the space environment. This is critical to the safety of satellites and other infrastructure in orbit.
AWE uses the Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (AMTM), an array of telescopes that takes images at different wavelengths. This instrument provides the sensitivity needed to observe the finest details of waves that previously went undetected.
in the cold mesosphere, Where temperatures can reach -150°F, AMTM can detect infrared flashes of these waves that are invisible to the human eye. Analyzing phenomena such as gravitational waves generated by hurricanes can improve our ability to anticipate their effects on satellites and other communications systems.
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This opening andThis is just the beginning of efforts to understand how extreme atmospheric events can change the environment beyond what is visible, underpinning the commitment POT with space exploration and developing tools for a safer future in our Earth orbit.
Having the first data in hand, POT ensures that AWE will continue to capture these phenomena in unprecedented detail, providing vital information to protect space technology from the vagaries of nature.